The three people who were killed in an A9 smash near Pitlochry on Friday have been named by police.

A southbound Volvo S80 crossed the carriageway and collided with a northbound Renault Clio and a Vauxhall Astra.  The northbound Renault Clio then crossed the carriageway and collided with a southbound Ford Fiesta.

The driver of the Volvo S80, 63-year-old John Potter of Main Street, Hutton Buscel in Scarborough died at the scene. He was a biology teacher at the Moray boarding school, Gordonstoun.

The occupants of the Vauxhall Astra, 73-year-old James Forbes and his 66-year-old wife Anne Forbes from Falkirk died at the scene. They both lived at Fleming Street in Chacefields, Denny.

It happened on a single carriageway stretch of the A9, one mile north of the Killiecrankie turn-off, at around noon on Friday.

The 47-year-old female driver of a Renault Clio that was also involved in the incident was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital where she received surgery to her right arm for tendon and artery damage.  She was later released from hospital and is expected to undergo further surgery at a later date.

Tributes

Teachers and pupils at Gordonstoun School have paid tribute to biology teacher John Potter who died in the crash.

Staff at the school where John, better known to his friends, family and school community as Steve, worked are shocked and saddened by the news of his tragic death.

Steve joined the staff at Gordonstoun in September 2006. He taught biology, for which subject he was a Chief Examiner. He occupied a residential post in a boys' boarding house and he was responsible for the school's conservation service. He fulfilled all these roles with modesty, success and distinction.

Principal of the Gordonstoun Schools, Mark Pyper, said: ‘’Everyone at Gordonstoun is greatly saddened to learn of Steve’s death. He was a superb teacher, a wonderful mentor to those in his care and a great friend to all members of our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the families of those who also lost their lives in this tragedy.’’

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.