The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Highland tragedy as young family of four are killed in car crash
Family had been travelling from their home near Culloden
A young family with two young children, from Westhill, near Culloden, in the Inverness area, have died in a crash.
The family were travelling on the A82 Fort William to Inverness road in a green Mini Cooper on Thursday evening when their vehicle collided with a red Ford Fiesta.
Initial investigations have established the cars were travelling in opposite directions before the collision that led to the family’s car leaving the road and landing among some trees.
The 26-year-old female driver, the 25-year-old male front-seat passenger and their two girls, aged three and one, died at the scene.
Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “The family have set off on their journey and for whatever reason they have crashed their car and they have ended up being killed.
“That is a horrific set of circumstances for anybody, for families, friends and communities and especially in some of the close knit communities we have in the highlands area.”
The 56-year-old female driver of the Ford Fiesta was taken to Broadford Hospital where she remains with serious injuries.
Police, fire and paramedics faced an “extremely challenging” scene upon arrival – just five miles east of Fort William – following initial reports of the two-vehicle collision around 5.30pm.
The section of the road remained closed for around 11 and a half hours as special investigators worked to establish the events leading up to the collision.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart said: “This is so sad. The friends and loved ones of this young family will be devastated and my thoughts are with them.”
Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes added: “To lose so many from one family in one accident is unimaginable. It is utterly heartbreaking.”
Fort William councillor Andrew Baxter said: “It’s appalling to hear of any fatality on our roads. It is even more so to hear of this dreadful tragedy and that it seems to have affected a young family.
“From the reaction that I’ve seen on social media and by talking to local residents, I know there is widespread shock and disbelief across Lochaber, with people thinking about those who have lost their lives.”
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I know there is widespread shock and disbelief across Lochaber with people thinking about those who have lost their lives. COUNCILLOR ANDREW BAXTER