Driver killed in A9 crash with articulated lorry

Tragedy: Traffic chaos after major road closed due to collision

A man has died in an early morning collision between a van and a lorry on the A9 at Blair Atholl.

A Chivas Regal lorry carrying 3,000 gallons of whisky crashed into a van at around 2.30am.

The crash comes only two years after a very similar incident involving a whisky lorry on the same road.

The crash closed the A9 to all vehicles travelling both north and southbound, resulting in traffic chaos as vehicles were diverted through Blair Atholl.

The alternative route was unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles, which had to stack along the arterial road.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “We were called to respond to a serious road traffic collision on the A9 at Blair Atholl at 2.36am.

“The collision, involving a van and an articulated lorry, happened on a single carriageway section of the A9.

“Four appliances attended the scene, including one from Pitlochry, a pump from Dunkeld, one from Aberfeldy and the heavy rescue unit from Perth.

“Firefighters used hydraulic cutting gear to remove a person from the van. The lorry was carrying alcohol, but there was no fire at the scene.

“The road has now reopened. The last appliance left the scene at 7.15am.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed there had been a fatality.

She said: “We can confirm that sadly a man has died following a road traffic collision on the A9 at Blair Atholl this morning.

“The collision happened at about 2.30am and involved an articulated lorry and a van.

“Enquiries are at a very early stage and no further information is available at this time. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or speak to any officer.” The road reopened at around 12pm. The incident comes after law graduate Michael McNaughton died during a head-on collision with a McPhersons of Aberlour lorry on 22 January 2013.

The former Scotland under-18 and Aberdeen Grammar rugby star was travelling in heavy snow when he was hit by the whisky tanker on the A9.

Picture: HEMEDIA. A man was tragically killed in a crash yesterday after the van he was driving collided with a lorry carrying 3,000 gallons of whisky.