A 12-year-old boy was in a serious condition on Sunday night after a motorcycle he was riding pillion on with his father crashed outside a Moray town.
The boy was on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road with his 51-year-old father when the accident happened.
They were approximately 100 yards west of the roundabout which leads to Forres Enterprise Park when their grey BMW motorbike collided with a silver Volkswagen Tiguan which was towing a caravan.
The boy was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, amid fears that he could have a life-threatening head wound, as well as suffering leg and arm injuries.
Shortly after 7pm, he was airlifted from the playing fields at the town’s Morriston Road to Edinburgh for specialist treatment.
Police say his dad only suffered minor wounds in the collision.
It is believed that the boy and his father are both Scottish, and had been taking part in a motorcycle tour of the country.
A spokesman for the ambulance service said the situation was “very sad”.
He added: “Two patients were taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital, and the young child had a head injury as well as leg and arm injuries.
“Later on in the day, an aircraft was used to transfer the boy to Edinburgh to receive specialised care.
“He is in a serious condition.”
The incident occurred shortly before noon, and traffic diversions were promptly put in place as police launched an investigation into its circumstances.
Westbound motorists were directed into Forres via the Enterprise Park, while those travelling east were diverted through Kinloss.
Though they were badly shaken, the occupants of the car involved in the crash did not suffer any injuries.
They remained at the roadside for hours after the incident, detailing their recollection of events to police officers.
Senior Investigating Officer Rob Warnock arrived at the scene from Inverurie at 1.45pm.
He said: “Unfortunately, it’s the pillion passenger from the motorcycle that has suffered the most serious injuries, which could be life-threatening.
“The male rider doesn’t appear to have serious injuries as a result of the collision.”
Forres councillor George Alexander said the local community had been unsettled by the “horrific” accident.
Mr Alexander said: “This is a shocking event for a family.
“It is a horrific thing for anyone to have to cope with, and my thoughts are entirely with the young boy and his relatives.
“The roundabout is not known for accidents, but I can think of two occasions in the past two years when motorbikes have gone off the road by it.”
The ambulance spokesman said crews arrived at the scene within minutes of the crash.
The spokesman said: “We received a call about this incident at 11.54am, and ambulance crews and a helicopter both attended.
“The first crew got to the location within six minutes of the initial 999 call and the second arrived within nine minutes.”
The stretch of the busy trunk route reopened at just before 7pm.
