The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Man and woman die in Angus crash tragedy
Accident occurred almost a year on from fatality at same spot
A man and woman died in a weekend Angus road tragedy, almost exactly a year on from another fatality at the same spot.
The Saturday night accident on the A937 Montrose to Laurencekirk road, close to Marykirk Bridge, claimed the lives of a 31-year-old male and 26-yearold female, and left a second male seriously injured.
The car the trio were travelling in was the only vehicle involved in the crash, which prompted a major turnout of emergency services and led to the route remaining closed throughout much of yesterday as a full investigation was mounted and the mangled wreckage of the vehicle was removed from the scene.
The car is thought to have struck a stone wall close to a sharp bend in the road — the exact location of another fatal accident in July 2016 which claimed the life of 21-year-old student Leanne McDonald from Montrose.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said a total of four units, two from Montrose as well as appliances from Laurencekirk and Brechin, attended the incident after the 11.20pm call out on Saturday night.
Firefighters were involved in removing the injured man from the car and remained on scene for some time to assist in the aftermath of the accident.
Police are not expected to name the two victims until next of kin have been informed, but it is understood they may be local to the area.
There have been a number of serious accidents in recent years, but local councillor Tommy Stewart said the location where the two tragedies had occurred had not previously been raised as an accident blackspot.
“First and foremost my thoughts are with the families and friends of all of those involved, this is an absolutely tragic situation,” he said.
“I am sure that there will be a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances of this terrible accident, and I would think that our council officers will be involved with the police if that is considered appropriate.
“This is quite a narrow road, but it has not been raised as an issue with me, although to have two fatal accidents there in little more than a year is terrible.
“If it is felt that there may be an issue with that stretch of the road that needs looked at then that must be considered, but at this stage I am sure everyone’s thoughts will be with those affected by this tragedy.”