By Eric Nicolson

PERTHSHIRE ROADS claimed a second victim in less than 24 hours on the A9 near Dunkeld yesterday, when an elderly man died in a head-on crash.

The accident happened at around 2 pm about three miles north of Dunkeld, near the Dalguise turn-off. The man, whose identity has not yet been released by police, was driving south in a Rover 400 when it was in collision with a northbound Mercedes C Class.

The front seat passenger in the Rover, an elderly woman, was briefly trapped. She was cut free by firefighters and airlifted by helicopter to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with serious chest and leg injuries.

The Mercedes driver, a man in his 40s, was also trapped in his car. He was taken by ambulance under police escort to Ninewells with leg and shoulder injuries.

The A9 was blocked both ways for several hours while investigators examined the scene and diversions were put in place northbound at Dunkeld and southbound at Ballinluig.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Tayside Police in Perth on 01738 621141.

North Tayside MSP John Swinney last night described the A9 as the most dangerous road in Scotland and reiterated his demand for it to be dualled.

He said, “I express my condolences to the family of the gentleman who was killed and my concern to the injured passenger and other driver.

“This is another fatality on one of the dangerous single carriageway stretches on the A9. It is atrocious that another life has been lost in a head-on collision on the A9.

“I for one cannot continue to tolerate the relentless tragedies on the A9. It is no use continuing to talk about the road being the most dangerous in Scotland, we need action. Pleas from the local community, road users and politicians must be listened to and it is vital progress is made.”

He was joined by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser in his call for dualling of the A9. Mr Fraser said, “It is sad to learn there has been another fatality on the A9 and our thoughts go out to the family and friends.

Mr Fraser added, “This sad event underlines that we must see action and investment in the A9 to reduce the accident and fatality rate. This fatal accident near Dunkeld is the sad and real consequence that makes up the fatality figures of the A9 and makes the A9 the deadliest road in Scotland.

“The A9 has already claimed 82 lives in the last five years. Sadly, we will continue to see a high fatality rate until improvements are made to junctions and we see the A9 dualled from Perth to Inverness.

“I do not think anybody would reasonably expect dualling the A9 would entirely remove the risk of fatal accidents but I have no doubt it would play a major part in making the road safer. Let us hope that this Executive sees sense and makes the decisions needed in order to see lasting improvements to the A9.”