Man killed on country road as safety drive launched

A MOTORIST was killed yesterday in a collision with a tractor on a country road.

The man, who will not be named until next of kin have been informed, died when his BMW car was in collision with a tractor towing a container on the A920 Oldmeldrum to Pitmedden road in Aberdeenshire. The road was closed for several hours as a result.

The accident happened as Scotland's eight police forces launched a three-day campaign to encourage safe and responsible driving on country roads. The campaign is being co- ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

Meanwhile, British Transport Police launched an investigation yesterday after a passenger train came close to colliding with a tractor at a level crossing in Moray.

The incident happened at a private farm crossing near Forres and involved the 8:23am First ScotRail train from Aberdeen to Inverness.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "The train had to make an emergency stop at Bogton level crossing near Forres. It is an accommodation crossing on private land. There was no collision and no-one was injured. Inquiries are ongoing."

A First ScotRail spokeswoman said: "The train stopped in advance of contact with a tractor at a level crossing near Forres The train completed its journey to Inverness without further incident."