A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries yesterday after being hit by a car in a Highland village.
The pedestrian and a vehicle were involved in a collision on the main road through Avoch around 5am.
Police described the new year’s day accident on the Black Isle as “serious” last night.
Officers closed the A832 Tore-Cromarty road for about eight hours while investigations were carried out.
It was the second accident on the area’s roads over Hogmanay and new year, with firefighters having to cut a person free from their vehicle after a three-car crash at Muir of Ord on Saturday.
Police appealed for information from any witnesses to the collision on Avoch’s Station Road yesterday.
A white Ford Fiesta with a dent in the windscreen could be seen in the morning in a layby off the road and inside the police cordon, near the back of the village primary school.
The incident led to new year events being cancelled in the village, including Avoch Community Rowing Club’s “New Year’s Day with the Skiffties”, which was due to feature a dip in the sea and a bonfire.
The club posted on social media: “There has been a bad accident in Avoch. The road is closed. Today’s activities have been cancelled.”
The road is the main route through the Black Isle, and diversions of several miles were put in place for motorists throughout the morning.
Traffic entering Avoch from the Munlochy side was diverted from the A832 at its junction with the Corrachie Crossing and also the Suddie junction, while motorists entering Avoch from the Fortrose side were re-routed at the road’s junction with School Brae in Avoch.
A police spokesman said: “Officers are currently dealing with a serious road traffic collision which occurred on the A832 at Station Road, Avoch, this morning at about 5am.
“As a result of the collision between a male pedestrian and a car, the pedestrian has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
“A collision investigation is underway and the road is likely to remain closed for several hours.”
The force added: “Drivers are thanked for their patience whilst officers deal with this incident.
“Anyone who was travelling on the road at this time who may have witnessed the collision or who has information that could assist officers, is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Meanwhile, on Saturday three cars were involved in a collision just outside Muir of Ord on the A862 route to Conon Bridge.
Firefighters were called to cut a person free from their vehicle following the crash, which happened shortly before 1pm.
The road was closed in both directions and motorists experienced serious delays in the area.
Inquiries were still being carried out by police yesterday to establish the cause of the accident.
