A Highland man is in a critical condition in a US hospital after being hit by a car.
Stuart Robb suffered serious injuries and is in an induced coma following the accident at South Daytona in Florida.
The 23-year-old travelled to the states from his home village of Balintore earlier this month to visit his cousin Ally Macdonald, who is also originally from Easter Ross.
It is believed Mr Robb’s sister has flown to Florida to be at his bedside.
His mother Angela said yesterday that her son was in a “critical but stable” condition.
She did not want to comment further about the accident.
But police in the US last night confirmed that it happened within the city limits of South Daytona in Volusia County.
The region is located on the east coast of the Sunshine State, and to the north-east of the major holiday resort of Orlando, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
It is understood that Mr Robb suffered serious head injuries after stepping into the path of a car, thought to be a taxi.
He had arrived in Florida several days earlier to visit Mr Macdonald, who is at university in Daytona Beach.
Posts on Mr Robb’s social networking website show that the pair had visited Walt Disney World in Orlando just days before the incident.
He also posted a picture of a massive burger ordered at a local restaurant.
Friends of the popular young man said yesterday they were shocked to hear about the accident.
Graeme Vass, a long time pal from Ballintore, said: “It sounds like he stepped on to the road but looked the wrong way. He’s looked to the side we would over here and didn’t see the car. I’d heard it was a taxi.”
He added: “He’s just a nice, steady guy. I’ve known him forever from about the town. I hope he pulls through.”
Another man said he had previously worked with Mr Robb.
He added: “He’s a nice young lad, very unassuming and easy to get on with.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard about the accident. It’s not something you want to think about.”
And friends posted messages of support online.
Graham Nicol said: “Get well and come home soon mate.”