A popular bus driver has died after his vehicle crashed into a bridge in the Highlands and landed on its side last night.
The incident occurred on the B9161 at the Littlemill Bridge south-east of Munlochy shortly before 5.45pm with five fire crews, police and paramedics called to the scene.
There were nine passengers on the 37-seater bus service which was travelling from Inverness to Cromarty.
Police have confirmed that the driver of the bus, a 50-year-old male, sustained fatal injuries.
One casualty was cut free from the vehicle, three others remain in a serious but stable condition, with the other passengers sustaining minor injuries.
The road was blocked in both directions as emergency services attend to those involved.
A fire service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 5.44pm to assist emergency service partners with a bus that had left the road in Inverness.
Police make appeal for information following bus crash on a Highland road last night
“Operations Control mobilised three fire engines and a Heavy Rescue Unit to the B9161 Munlochy where firefighters safely removed one casualty who was trapped from the bus.
“The casualty was passed into the care of paramedics.
“Five other casualties were also assisted from the bus.
Stagecoach paid tribute to the driver, who was based at its Inverness depot, earlier today.
A Stagecoach North Scotland spokesman said: “The thoughts of everyone at Stagecoach are with the family and friends of our driver, as well as the passengers who were injured in the accident.
“Our driver was a popular member of staff at our Inverness depot and had been with the company for around 12 years.
“We are providing support to his family and work colleagues and we are continuing to help the police with their investigation into the cause of the accident.
“We would also like to thank another driver from the Inverness depot who spotted the accident as he was driving another service to Inverness and gave assistance at the scene.”
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward by calling 101.
