Biker injured in crash on A95

Accident: Road closed for several hours after Land Rover and motorcycle collide

A motorbike and a Land Rover were involved in a horrific crash on a busy Highland road yesterday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the collision, which happened at Speybridge, near Granton of Spey, about 11.20am.

The damaged motorcycle was left lying in the middle of the road, while the dark-coloured Land

“In 2016, 30 motorcyclists lost their lives on Scotland’s roads”

Rover Defender had ended up on the verge, with part of its bumper hanging off.

Police were unable to provide details about any injuries suffered to the occupants of the vehicles, although it was understood that they were not lifethreatening.

The incident happened on the A95 Speybridge to Cromdale road at its junction with the A939 Lecht Road.

The A95 was closed for several hours, with one lane reopening about 2pm and both open to traffic about 3.25pm.

Drivers were diverted from the A95 Bridge of Avon via the B9008 to Glenlivet, the B9136 to Tomintoul and onto the A939.

It was the latest in a series of serious crashes involving motorcyclists on roads in the Highlands and islands in recent weeks.

A 60-year-old man died after his motorcycle was involved in a collision last Monday with a black Mitsubishi Trojan truck on the B9071 at East Burrafirth, near Aith on Shetland.

The day before, 72-yearold Anthony Woods, from Aldringham in Suffolk, died on the B852 between Dores and Inverfarigaig, having ridden his Francis Barnett motorcycle to the Highlands to take part in a rally.

Another motorcyclist was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness the week before after a crash on the A87 Shiel Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh road, just north of Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie.

The latest incident came as police prepared to launch a national “vulnerable road users” campaign today, encouraging pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists to take extra care on the roads.

Andy Edmonston, head of road policing, said: “As schools, colleges and universities prepare for their summer break, the tourist season nears its peak, and our weather hopefully takes a turn for the better, we can expect to see an increase in the number of people venturing out on foot and pedal cycles to enjoy it.

“In 2016, 32 pedestrians, eight pedal cyclists and 30 motorcyclists sadly lost their lives on Scotland’s roads.

“We are all too aware of the devastation such incidents cause, a devastation that extends well beyond immediate family and friends, and one that lasts a lifetime for those affected.”