Second person dies following fatal three-vehicle crash on the A96, Balloch

A second person has died after a crash which shut down a road in the Highlands for seven hours.

Four ambulances, a trauma team, an air ambulance and critical care paramedic, were called to the A96, near Balloch, at around 12.16pm on Monday after a crash between a Tesla, Citroen Dispatch van, and a heavy goods vehicle.

Two men and one woman, the occupants of the Tesla car, were taken to Raigmore Hospital.

A 51-year-old woman died shortly after. She has been named as Helen Booth from Bolton.

A 53-year-old man, who was described as being in a critical condition, died on Wednesday. He has been named as Chris Haycock.

The 23-year-old male passenger of the Tesla was released from hospital following assessment, while the male driver of the Citroen van, aged 37, was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment to serious injuries.

The driver of the HGV, a 69-year-old man, was uninjured.

Sergeant Calum MacAulay said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Chris and Helen at this difficult time. We continue to support them and they have asked for their privacy to be respected.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the crash. I would ask anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, or anyone with information that could assist our investigation to please get in touch.

“Likewise, anyone with relevant dash-cam footage who has not already passed this to officers is asked to please contact us.”

Anyone with information can call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 1230 of Monday, February 12, 2024.