A far north coast village is in mourning after a local teenager was the victim of a fatal road crash at the weekend.
And a 22-year-old woman who was involved in a crash in Orkney last week has died in hospital.
Connor Cook was killed when his Ford Fiesta veered off an unclassified road near Thurso on Saturday night, a mile from its junction with the A836.
Connor, who worked at Dounreay and would have celebrated his 20th birthday on Sunday, lived all his life in Bettyhill.
No other vehicle was involved in the accident which occurred after a Z-bend on the unclassified Hill of Forss road.
Police confirmed that the woman involved in the Orkney crash, who has not been named, died on Sunday afternoon.
The crash happened at around 7.30am on Tuesday on the A965 at Rennibister.
She was treated at Balfour Hospital in Orkney before being transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
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A police spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.”
Tributes were yesterday paid to Mr Cook, who was a keen footballer.
He lived with his parents, James and Mary, in Bettyhill, where he attended Farr Primary and Farr High.
Sandra Munro, chairwoman of Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council, said: “The loss is a loss felt by the whole community.
“We have suffered for many years in not having enough young people staying in the village and Connor was one who definitely was set to do so.
“I have struggled to take in the news. His family are just shattered by his loss will be felt by the whole community for a long time.
“He was a very fine young man and I don’t think there is one person in the whose area who would say otherwise.”
After leaving school, he had a spell working at a local garage and attended North Highland College UHI before starting work at the nuclear plant in the summer.
The accident occurred at 11.10pm on Saturday near the home of local Highland Councillor Mathew Reiss.
Mr Reiss said: “The thoughts of my and my fellow councillors are with the person’s family and friends at this tragic time.”
Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who may have any further information. They should contact 101.
