The Crown Office is investigating two crashes that left a popular north-east mum and an Aberdeenshire Council worker dead.
Helen Thorley died in a two-car crash on the B9180 New Deer to Inverurie road on April 3.
The 50-year-old, from Oldmeldrum, was described as a “happy, lovely mother” following the accident at Barravale.
And just six weeks later, on May 12, William George Buchan died when his white Ford Transit collided with a white Mercedes Vito van on the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road, near Hatton.
The 48-year-old, from Peterhead, was “well respected” by his colleagues at Aberdeenshire Council’s waste department.
Last night, the Crown Office confirmed both deaths had been reported to the procurator fiscal service, and were being looked into by the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU).
The SFIU is a specialist unit responsible for looking into all sudden, suspicious, accidental and unexplained deaths.
Regarding the B9170 crash, a Crown Office spokeswoman said: “The procurator fiscal has received a report in connection with the death of a 50-year-old woman on the B9170 road near Oldmeldrum on April, 3 2016.
“The investigation into the death, under the direction of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU), is ongoing and the family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”
She added a report has also been received in relation to the A90 incident, with the SFIU investigation also still “ongoing”.
The Crown Office has not received police reports recommending the prosecution of an accused for either crash.
In a statement released following Ms Thorley’s death, her family said: “We are absolutely devastated at the loss of our mum, who was a much loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend.”
