A motorist escaped from his burning car following a fireball crash on the north’s most notorious road last night.
Pictures from the scene showed flames engulfing the vehicle after it left the A9 and hurtled down an embankment.
Three cars were involved in the accident, which happened 10 miles south of Inverness, close to the southern end of the dual carriageway near Moy.
Last night, three young men who passed the scene described how they helped rescue the driver from his burning car.
Lyle Mackay, Damien Mackenzie and Stuart Morrison said they ignored the advice of other drivers not to go near the burning vehicle.
Mr Mackay, 23, of Tain, said: “We were just driving south to Perth and saw a few cars stopped. We spoke to one guy who said there was a car on fire and about to explode.
“We asked if there was anyone in it but they didn’t know.”
He said he and his companions went closer to the burning vehicle and saw a man sitting in the driver’s seat.
Mr Mackay, a joiner, said: “He seemed to be semi-conscious but was hanging out of the car.
“He still had his seatbelt on, so I unclipped it and we all carried him up the hill.”
Mr Mackay said he and Mr Mackenzie, 20, of Conon Bridge, were unhurt however Mr Morrison, 25, of Elgin, suffered a slight burn to his hand.
Fire crews and paramedics from Inverness were sent to the crash, which happened at around 6.40pm.
A fire service spokesman said the flames were extinguished an hour later.
He added: “All persons were removed from of the vehicle before our arrival.”
It is understood that one casualty was taken to Raigmore Hospital however his injuries are understood be minor.
The road was closed in both directions after the accident.
A diversion was set up via the B9154 Moy road, however it was unsuitable for large vehicles.
Lorries were queuing up on the trunk road last night waiting for the road to reopen around 9pm.