Two men who died in a horrific crash on the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen road on Friday were employees of the James Hutton Institute.
The pair, aged 61 and 42, were based at the agricultural research institute’s Aberdeen facility and were heading towards the city when tragedy struck north of Laurencekirk.
A spokeswoman for the institute said: “We are devastated by the loss of two dear colleagues and our thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time. We will be offering any support that we can.”
The men, who have not been formally identified, were passengers in the same car when the two-vehicle accident occurred at around 4pm.
The drivers of the silver Vauxhall Astra estate and black Saab 93 aged 39 and 58 remained in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary respectively last night.
It is understood they are being treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries having sustained various fractures.
The collision has prompted fresh calls to make the A90 safer.
Jennifer Swarbrick (50) and Susan Fraser (32), who live just yards from the crash scene at the turn-off to Auchenblae, said it was only a matter of time before the next death.
Mrs Swarbrick said two rescue helicopters had landed in the field beside her bungalow at Lower Powburn before airlifting the survivors to hospital.
“People just fly down the road and then slam on the brakes when they see the speed camera,” she said.
Mrs Fraser said she sometimes had “palpitations” when waiting to cross the busy dual carriageway and claimed visibility at the accident site was severely limited.
She said: “I’m used to crossing there now but for people who are inexperienced it can be very frightening.”
North East MSP Alex Johnstone said there has never been sufficient investment to make the A90 safe.
“This is a tragic accident and my thoughts are with those affected by it,” he said. “I have been campaigning for years now for greater safety measures on the A90, especially a grade separated junction at Laurencekirk, and suggested that this could be achieved by making the improvements part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route contract.
“Communities, councillors and MSPs have all been pushing for more work to be done, but it has yet to be delivered.
“The arguing over who pays for what must be brought to an end in order to get the work started, and I will once again raise the issue with Transport Minister Keith Brown and ask him to intervene.
“It is unacceptable that this issue continues to drag on while the accident toll increases.”