By Richard Burdge

A 78-YEAR-OLD man died last night after an accident at an A9 blackspot which is due for a multi-million-pound safety upgrade.

The sole casualty of the

three-car crash at the Ballinluig junction in Perthshire was flown to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with a “serious head

injury”, but died at around 8pm.

Yesterday’s incident angered politicians who claimed that if improvements had been carried out earlier, such accidents might have been avoided.

The accident happened around 1.45pm on a southbound stretch of the A9 when a Renault Laguna, a Vauxhall Astra, and a Fiat Punto were in collision.

The drivers of two of the cars, both men, were uninjured. However, the driver of the

Fiat Punto was trapped in his vehicle for a short time before being freed by Tayside Fire and Rescue.

After being treated by a trauma team at the scene he was airlifted to hospital. There were no other occupants in the vehicles involved.

The accident, which happened in wet conditions, caused considerable disruption.

North Tayside MSP John Swinney said, “I am very sorry to hear there has been another serious accident at the Ballinluig junction today involving three vehicles.

“I hope that despite the seriousness of the accident those involved are able to recover from the trauma of this experience.

“The accident took place directly at the junction and reinforces the need for the junction to be upgraded.

“No amount of signage or speed restrictions have made this junction safe and I am deeply frustrated by the delays that have taken place in carrying out improvement work.

“I hope the Scottish Executive will realise the absolute necessity for swift action to upgrade this junction.

“There have been too many injuries and fatalities at this junction and this latest accident could have been avoided if the junction work had been completed as originally planned.

“Action is required now and I demand that the Scottish Executive intensifies its work to deliver a promised new junction that will tackle the unacceptable accident record at Ballinluig.”

Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, added, “This shows once again the dangers of this junction and highlights the need for work to begin on the long-promised junction improvements.

“I hope that work will be able to begin on the junction to ensure that no further accident takes place.”

The latest Scottish Executive statement on when work would start on upgrading the Ballinluig junction was that it would commence in July, next year.

Anyone who witnessed the incident take place is asked to get in touch with Tayside Police in Perth on (01738) 621141.