Motorcyclist dead and woman airlifted to hospital after three vehicle crash on A836 near Loch Crochach

A motorcyclist has been killed and his passenger helicoptered to hospital with serious injuries after a three-vehicle crash in the Highlands.

At around 5.40pm on Friday, a black Yamaha motorbike, a blue Fiat Doblo van and a blue Vauxhall car were involved in a collision on the A836 near to Loch Crochach, west of Bettyhill.

A 63-year-old man, the rider of the motorcycle, was pronounced at the scene. His pillion passenger, a 56-year-old woman, was taken by air ambulance to Raigmore Hospital.

Her injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening by medics.

The driver of the van and the three people travelling in the car were not injured.

The road was closed for around six hours while police enquiries were carried out, and re-opened just after midnight following the recovery of all the vehicles.

Officers are appealing for witnesses following the fatal crash.

Dingwall Road Policing sergeant Christopher Donaldson said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this very difficult time.

“Our investigation continues and I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened, or has relevant dash cam footage, to please get in touch.

“Information can be passed to Police Scotland by calling 101, and quoting reference 3127 of Friday, August 12.”

It follows a number of recent incidents on the road.

Liam Mackay, 21, from Dunnet, was riding his motorbike down the A836 Castletown to Dunnet road when he was involved in a collision with a car around 8am on Friday, June 24.

He sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.

A few days earlier, a biker was left seriously injured in hospital following a crash between his motorcycle and a car.

Community leaders in Caithness have come together to demand safety improvements on the A836 at Forss Village.

They are calling on Highland Council and Transport Scotland to introduce measures including a reduced speed limit, traffic calming and white lining at what they have called an “accident blackspot”.