Woman dies and fighting for life after crash involving car and van on A96 in the Highlands

A woman has died and a man has been left fighting for his life after a crash involving a car and van on the A96 in the Highlands.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on the Inverness to Nairn road one mile east of the airport roundabout at aroudn 3.30pm on Tuesday.

The incident involved a red Vauxhall Insignia car and a white Ford Transit Tipper van.

The passenger of the car, a 65-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car, a 69-year-old man, was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where his condition is described as “critical”.

The driver of the van was uninjured.

The road was closed to allow for a full collision investigation and reopened around 11.25pm.

Police Scotland is urging anyone with information regarding the crash to come forward.

Sergeant Kate Finlayson said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the woman who has died, and we are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances.

“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dash-cam footage from the area around the time of the crash to please come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2130 of July 22, 2025.”