Pensioner pronounced dead after M90 collision

A PENSIONER lost her life after her car was involved in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle on the Perth bypass yesterday lunchtime.

The woman, believed to be in her 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene following the accident on the M90 between the Friarton Bridge and Broxden at 12.50pm.

She had been travelling in her silver Honda on the northbound carriageway, level with the Aviva building, when tragedy struck.

The driver of the lorry was checked over by paramedics at the roadside but is understood to be uninjured.

Police closed the major route for the rest of the afternoon to undertake investigation work, causing major traffic chaos.

Motorists travelling from the Dundee and Edinburgh directions were diverted through the centre of Perth, which led to lengthy tailbacks.

Rush-hour queues of more than a mile formed on Edinburgh Road, back to the Craigend junction, and Dundee Road back to the Friarton Bridge. Congestion was also reported on the city’s Glasgow Road.

The emergency services, including Tayside Trauma Team, raced to the scene shortly before 1pm.

Tayside Fire and Rescue confirmed two appliances and the heavy rescue unit were in attendance.

Crews were not required to undertake any rescue efforts but one unit remained at the site to assist with the clean-up operation.

A police spokesman said crash investigators were still carrying out inquiries into the full set of circumstances surrounding the incident. The wreckage was covered with a large tarpaulin while the initial work got under way.

The force appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time to call 0300 111 2222.

The name of the deceased will not be released until next of kin have been informed.

Bear Scotland confirmed that lane restrictions were in force on the western bypass yesterday due to ongoing rodworks.

The fast downhill stretch leading to Broxden, one of the country’s busiest roundabouts, has seen a number of serious accidents in recent years.

Campaigners have long been calling for it to be made into a grade-separated junction, as seen at Ballinluig on the A9 near Pitlochry.

The accident took place between the Friarton Bridge and Broxden Roundabout at 12.50pm.