Eight people were last night being treated in hospital after a horror crash between a lorry and a minibus.
The busy A82 Inverness to Glasgow road was closed in both directions at about 12.15pm after the two large vehicles came into collision two miles south of the village of Bridge of Orchy in Argyll and Bute.
Six ambulances, a special operations response team, a paramedic practitioner and an air ambulance were dispatched by the ambulance service, along with a Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.
The road re-opened in both directions at around midnight, nearly 12 hours after the accident.
**** UPDATE ****
Following serious RTC on A82 …..road now fully open@INRIXtrafficSCT @trafficscotland @westcoastbuses @CalMac_Updates pic.twitter.com/vX3IUwTSZ0— Oban Police (@ObanPol) October 23, 2019
An ambulance service spokesman said: “We transported three patients to the Belford Hospital in Fort William, two patients were taken to Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban, and three patients were transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Glasgow.”
Five fire engines were also dispatched to the scene alongside the major response teams from the ambulance service, with emergency services remaining on scene for much of yesterday afternoon whilst crash scene investigators carried out a thorough analysis to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.
Police last night described the incident as serious, but said the severity of the injuries sustained were unknown.
A lengthy diversion of more than 54 miles was put in place to avoid the scene of the crash, with motorists diverting via the A85 from Tyndrum to Connel before heading along the A828 to Ballachulish.
Road workers from Bear Scotland were also on hand to close the road and set up roadblocks at Tyndrum.
Oban North and Lorn Councillor Julie McKenzie, whose ward covers the scene, last night said she was “deeply shocked” to hear of the number of casualties.
She said: “My thoughts go out to all of those involved.
“Those attending the scene – from first responders to the emergency services – deserve so much credit because they have such a difficult job, especially in this area.
“I am heartened to see that so many have respected the road and those who have a job to carry out.
“My best wishes really are with those involved and their families, and I hope they are able to make a full recovery.”
