A Moray port was in mourning last night after a young man died in a horrific crash on a country road.
Police have yet to formally identify the victim of the fireball smash on the B9016 Keith-Buckie road.
But he was named locally last night as Iain MacDonald, who is believed to have been in his 20s.
It is thought he stayed in the Buckpool area of Buckie.
He was alone in a grey Mini Cooper S convertible which was involved in a collision with a blue MAN slideback recovery vehicle.
The car burst into flames and the truck also caught fire.
The accident happened about two miles from Aultmore around 4pm on Tuesday and police have urged witnesses to contact them.
The area around the crash scene remained closed to traffic yesterday as an investigation into the tragedy continued.
Last night, police said the dead man’s next-of-kin had been informed and formal identification would take place in due course.
Sergeant David Pirie, of the Aberdeenshire and Moray road policing unit, said: “This was a tragic incident resulting in the death of a local man and our thoughts are with family and friends at this difficult time.
“Inquiries into the circumstances of the collision are continuing and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or saw either of the vehicles involved to come forward.
“I would also ask anyone who has information which would assist our investigation to get in touch.”
Mr MacDonald’s cousin, Euan MacDonald, paid tribute to him online, describing him as “the biggest ray of sunshine you could ever meet”.
He added: “Lost one of the best.”
Last night, Buckie councillor Gordon Cowie said: “What can you say in these tragic circumstances? The community is devastated at the loss of such a young lad and my condolences go out to his parents and his girlfriend.
“There have been a few accidents on that road and one section of it was straightened, near the A98, with plans afoot to carry out more improvements.
“But today everyone is finding it hard to come to terms with such a tragic loss of life.”
Tuesday’s crash happened about 200 yards north of the turnoff to Mulben.
The B9106 has one of the worst accident rates in Moray.
Last summer, councillors approved plans to spend £3million on further upgrades to the road.
As far back as 2007, the local authority prepared a route action plan for the busy route between Buckie and Keith after the average number of accidents a year was found to be 9.4.
About £1.5million was then spent on improvements.
The road is expected to reopen today.