Crash victim 'will be missed terribly'

Evalyn Collie was one of five people killed in the A96 crash

One of the five people who died in a crash on the A96 in Moray has been described as a "really lovely" woman who will be missed terribly.

Evalyn Collie, 69, from Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire, died along with two friends when their car was involved in a collision with a minibus near Keith.

Two Italians in the minibus, one of them a four-year-old boy, were also killed in the smash on Thursday.

Relatives of the Italian tourists are to arrive in Scotland later.

Ms Collie was said to be active in the local community and a member of the Aberchirder community and district association.

Maxine Smith, who owns The New Inn, in Aberchirder, said: "She used to come here with a group of people to eat. She was just a very relaxed, easy-going person. Really lovely.

"She was active with our community association, always willing to do things for people.

"At the moment, we are developing a community garden. She was a big part of that and the sad thing is she's not going to see it finished. It's really sad.

"She was in groups like the line dancing, which was great. We are going to miss her terribly."

Ms Collie was one of three passengers who died in their Nissan X-Trail 4x4.

The others were a 70-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man.

The driver, a 39-year-old woman, was seriously injured and is receiving treatment at Dr Grays hospital in Elgin.

They all lived locally and were returning from a social event when the crash happened.

Officers investigating the cause of the collision have appealed for any witnesses or dashcam footage.

The damaged vehicles were removed on Friday morning

Meanwhile, the Italian Consul General for Scotland confirmed relatives of the two Italian people killed were travelling to Aberdeen.

A spokesman said: "The Honorary Consul of Italy for Aberdeen extends its deepest sympathy to all those affected by the tragic accident on the A96 on Thursday 26th July 2018.

"We will be supporting the families of the Italian citizens involved in any way we can and ask that their privacy is respected at this very sad time."

Another Italian woman is critically ill in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary while three other occupants of the minibus, including the driver and a three-year-old boy, suffered less severe injuries.