A bus driver was killed and several passengers were injured after the vehicle crashed into a bridge in the Highlands and landed on its side.

Police have confirmed the driver of the Stagecoach bus, a 50-year-old male, suffered fatal injuries. There were nine passengers on the bus at the time of the collision, three of whom remain in a serious but stable condition. The other passengers sustained minor injuries.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash near the village of Munlochy, on the Black Isle, near Inverness, just after 5.40pm on Friday. Police were trying to establish the cause of the collision. The 37-seater service bus was travelling from Inverness to Cromarty.



Sgt Alan Henderson, of the Highlands and Islands road policing unit, said: “Our thoughts at this time are with those involved and their families. An investigation into the collision is under way and we have already spoken to a number of witnesses. In order to help establish the cause of the collision, I would urge anyone who saw the vehicle prior to the collision who has not already come forward, to do so.

“Likewise, if any motorists believe they may have dashcam footage which could assist our inquiries, I appeal for them to come forward.”

Stagecoach said: “The thoughts of everyone at Stagecoach are with the family and friends of our driver, as well as the passengers who were injured in the accident. Our driver was a popular member of staff at our Inverness depot and had been with the company for around 12 years.

“We are providing support to his family and work colleagues, and we are continuing to help the police with their investigation into the cause of the accident. We would also like to thank another driver from the Inverness depot who spotted the accident as he was driving another service to Inverness and gave assistance at the scene.”