The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Breakdown rescue driver dies as lorry topples over
A breakdown recovery driver was killed at the weekend when his lorry toppled over while he was trying to pull a van from a ditch.
The incident happened at about 4.30am on Saturday on the B999 Aberdeen to Potterton road, near Udny Station.
The vehicle recovery driver, who worked for Kairdson Group, was trying to lift a Pitmedden Electrical Services van from the bottom of an embankment.
It is understood that the truck toppled over on top of him while he was operating the controls from the road.
Emergency services were called to the scene but the man died from his injuries.
The road was closed for several hours yesterday while collision investigators examined the scene.
A Health and Safety Executive investigation has also been launched.
The closure caused major disruption north of the city for much of the day.
The congestion was exacerbated because a section of the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road was closed for resurfacing.
Mid-Formartine ward councillor Paul Johnston said: “This was a crash at the notorious Tillycorthie bends, where drivers regularly come the road.”
A spokeswoman for the breakdown recovery firm said: “Kairdson Group are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our most experienced colleagues was fatally injured yesterday.
“A full investigation will be carried out, as is standard practice, into the details of this tragic incident in co-operation with the appropriate authorities.” off