The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Motorists gutted at fishy business
A9: Lengthy delays for drivers as lorry sheds load of salmon
Motorists faced huge delays after a lorry shed its load of fish on the A9 yesterday.
Up to a tonne of salmon carcases spilled over the road near Blair Atholl, apparently after the driver braked sharply.
The incident, which happened at around 2.20pm, resulted in long tail-backs and frustrating delays for many motorists.
The road was partially closed while officials began the arduous task of clearing up the scene. A spokesman for Harbour Haulage Ltd – which owns the vehicle – said that the lorry’s cargo was of fish “not suitable for human consumption”.
There was chaos on the A9 yesterday after a lorry shed its load of fish.
Motorists were left floundering after the incident near Blair Atholl.
Police were called at around 2.20pm, although major disruption was avoided as the road was kept partially open.
The vehicle, which belongs to Harbour Haulage of Peterhead, was carrying a load of salmon not fit for human consumption.
The firm’s transport manager Brian Inkson said the incident happened after the foreign driver had to hit the brakes.
One motorist caught up in the chaos said he was left reeling from the smell.
He said: “It was really smelly when you got close to it.
“It’s not quite rotting fish, but it is not pleasant when you are next to it.”
Motorist Laura Houston said: “I got there just afterwards so I’m not sure what happened, but the fish had come out of the top of trailer and were sitting at the coupling of the trailer and the truck.
“The driver was out his cab inspecting the loss of his load. “The fish are all over the road.” The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended shortly before 5pm to rinse the road down.
A spokesperson for BEAR Scotland said: “Teams are currently on site with Emergency Services and are continuing the clear-up process.
“The lane will reopen once the surface has been cleared.”