A nine-year-old girl has died following a severe two-vehicle collision in the Scottish Highlands that forced emergency services to shut down a key regional route for hours.
The fatal incident unfolded on Wednesday evening around 5:30 PM on the A831 between Drumnadrochit and Cannich, west of Loch Ness. The crash involved a Volkswagen Polo and a Ford Ranger pickup truck.
The young girl, who was riding as a rear-seat passenger in the Volkswagen Polo, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Paramedics and police rushed to the location alongside an air ambulance, but nothing could be done to save her life.
The Immediate Aftermath and Hospitalization
Two other occupants of the Volkswagen Polo—the driver and the front-seat passenger—sustained injuries in the collision. Emergency crews blue-lighted both individuals to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for urgent medical treatment. Authorities have not yet released specific updates regarding their current conditions or the extent of their injuries.
The collision forced Police Scotland to close the A831 completely. Specialist collision investigation teams remained at the site for seven hours, examining debris, skid marks, and vehicle positioning before the road was eventually reopened to traffic.
Police Appeal for Witnesses and Dashcam Footage
Police Scotland has launched a full investigation to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the impact. Investigators are urging anyone who witnessed the crash, or saw either the Volkswagen Polo or the Ford Ranger traveling in the area prior to 5:30 PM, to come forward.
Sergeant Kate Finlayson of Police Scotland addressed the tragic event, offering condolences to those affected while calling for public assistance.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the girl who died, and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances," Sergeant Finlayson stated. "I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or the vehicles prior to contact us. I would also ask anyone who was in the area and who may have dashcam footage that could assist to please get in touch."
Authorities ask anyone possessing relevant information or dashcam recordings to contact Police Scotland by calling 101, referencing incident number 2610 of October 7, 2026.
