Police dog handler critical after night van smash

A POLICE dog handler is in a critical condition in hospital after his marked van was involved in a crash with a car.

The 58-year-old man driving the car was also seriously injured and is in a stable condition.

The crash happened on the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road at about 11.50pm on Tuesday.

It involved a Police Scotland Peugeot Partner van driven by the 46-year-old – who was on duty and had two police dogs in the rear – and a blue Vauxhall Astra.

Firefighters and the Scottish Ambulance Service attended the scene along with police, and the injured men were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Police have appealed for information about the crash, which happened at Auchiries, Longhaven, south of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Inspector Jon Barron said: “Our inquiries into the circumstances of this crash are obviously still at an early stage.

“I would be very keen to speak with anyone who may have seen either vehicle shortly beforehand, or anyone who witnessed the collision and who hasn’t yet been spoken to by police. Please contact us on 101.”

The police dogs were taken to a local vet for examination. One appears to be uninjured while the other does not appear to be seriously injured but is still being assessed.

Police said the officer’s family were aware of the situation. Officers are carrying out checks to trace the family of the other driver.

The A90 was closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene and both vehicles.