A motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital with “serious injuries” after he crashed off a busy north-east road and landed in a cattle field.
The accident happened around near the New Pitsligo turn-off on the A98 Fraserburgh-Banff road.
It is understood the biker was travelling west, towards Banff.
His Honda bike went out of control near a bend and careered over a grass verge before landing in a field 30ft from the roadside.
Debris from the machine – which was branded with Honda Racing Corporation livery – was left scattered along the verge.
No other vehicles were involved.
An air ambulance was called to take the injured man to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the road was closed in both directions for about two hours.
A police spokeswoman said: “The road was closed between Banff and Fraserburgh on the A98 near New Pitsligo.
She added that a motorcyclist had suffered “serious injuries”.
An officer at the scene added: “There’s been a one-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle.
“Due to his injuries the casualty is en route to hospital. The circumstances are still to be confirmed.”
The fire brigade also went to the scene to help paramedics and police officers with the injured rider.
A spokeswoman for the service said: “It was a road traffic collision involving a motorcycle. We got the call at 1.34pm. Two appliances are in attendance.
“It appears to be only one vehicle involved.”
The road reopened at around 3.15pm.
Yesterday’s crash happened only weeks after another biker was killed on the busy A98 Fraserburgh-Fochabers road.
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Peterhead man Michael Reid was travelling between Banff and Portsoy when his bike left the road next to a layby on a tight bend.
The 29-year-old’s blue Suzuki was the only vehicle involved in the tragedy near Boyndie in Aberdeenshire.
Last night, Sandy Allan, from the Buchan Community Safety Group said education was crucial to preventing motorbike crashes.
“We’ve done motorcycle safety sessions in the past to make bikers aware of the pitfalls.
“We will keep trying to educate motorists and motorcyclists on the pitfalls and the importance of driving to road conditions.”
