A council boss is in a coma after his car collided with a tractor on a north-east road.
Douglas Edwardson was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in a critical condition after the accident on the A944 Alford to Aberdeen road, near Dunecht.
Mr Edwardson, who is the head of housing at Aberdeenshire Council, has since been put into an induced coma.
The 58-year-old’s wife was also injured, although it is understood she has since been discharged and is now keeping vigil at his bedside.
Last night, colleagues sent messages of love and support to his wife and four children, and wished him a speedy recovery.
Upper Deeside and Donside councillor Geva Blackett said: “He is a really, really lovely man. Douglas has become a fantastic source of help to me but he is also a really good friend.
“He has a ‘can do’ attitude. Nothing is too much trouble for him. He has helped me out in many instances and I am just praying to God he is all right.
“He is just wonderful, a really lovely man.”
As well as being in the chief role at the council’s housing department since 2009, Mr Edwardson is well-known in the Banff and Buchan area where he previously lived and worked.
Central Buchan councillor Jim Ingram said: “I certainly hope he and his wife both make a speedy and a full recovery.
“It’s almost like a family member in a sense, you get attached to these guys and develop a working relationship with them.”
Now based in the Alford area, Mr Edwardson is involved with local issues and was chairman of the hall and property committee for Howe Trinity Church until recently.
He and his wife had been travelling in their grey Seat Leon when it collided with a tractor towing a tractor on Saturday.
Their vehicle was left a wreck, while the blue Ford New Holland tractor overturned.
Mr Edwardson’s 59-year-old wife is believed to have broken her hand in the incident, which happened about 2.20pm.
Last night an NHS Grampian spokeswoman said Mr Edwardson is still in a “critical condition at ARI”.
Stephen Archer, director of infrastructure services, said he was wishing Mr Edwardson and his wife “a speedy recovery”.
He added: “Everyone at Aberdeenshire Council was shocked and saddened to hear that Douglas and his wife were involved in a road traffic accident at the weekend.
“Douglas is a well-respected and much loved colleague.”
Peterhead councillor Anne Allan, who works closely with Mr Edwardson in her role as head of the council’s social work and housing committee, said: “I’ve known Douglas since before I was a councillor – since 1996 when I was a tenant representative – and I’ve always found him very, very supportive.
“I was devastated to hear of his accident.”
Marr councillor Karen Clark, a former chairwoman of the committee, added she had a “great amount of respect” for Mr Edwardson and the way he worked.
Describing the accident as a “tragedy”, she added: “He is just a decent human being. He is just one of those good, caring people and is incredibly good at his job.
“He knows everything in terms of his knowledge and experience. We really rely on him very highly. I just hope there will be some positive news soon.”
And Councillor Peter Argyle – whose wife Natalia is in care after being seriously injured in a crash near Westhill in 2013 – also wished Mr Edwardson well.
He said: “I have known Douglas for 16 years since I have been a councillor. He is a hell of a good guy and has made a huge contribution to the council over the years.
“From my own experience this is just a hard thing for anybody to go through.”
Officers are still investigating the incident and are seeking to speak to the driver of a small 4×4 who may have witnessed the crash. Anyone with information should call 101.