Teen who died after crash involving car and van on A9 near Black Isle named

A teenager who died after a crash involving a car and a van on the A9 near the Black Isle has been named.

Emergency services were called to the collision involving a white Ford Transit van and a black Ford Focus south of the Cromarty Bridge near Culbokie at around 9.40pm on Monday.

Ruben MacDonald from Alness was taken to hospital, where he died a short time later. The 18-year-old was a passenger in the car.

An 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, also occupants of the car, were taken to hospital.

The man remains in a serious but stable condition, and the woman continues to receive treatment for serious, non-critical injuries.

A 50-year-old man, the driver of the van, was arrested in connection with a road traffic offence and released pending further enquiries.

Road Policing sergeant Kate Finlayson said: “Our thoughts remain with Ruben’s family and friends who have requested that their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the collision and I’d appeal to anyone with information, who has not already spoken to police, to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3378 of November 10, 2025.