A 69-year-old man has died following a two-vehicle collision on a major north-east road.
Emergency services were called to the A92 Aberdeen to Stonehaven road, near Newtonhill, at 9.45am.
Police later confirmed a man had died at the scene. It is understood he was struck by the coach.
The incident involved a white Mazda motorcar and a silver, single deck Shiel Buses coach – a company based in Fort William and Acharacle.
The southbound carriageway, near the Bridge of Muchalls, was closed off for much of the day while collision investigators tried to piece together what happened.
Investigators could be seen on board the coach as they carried out their inquiries.
The vehicle sustained damage to its windscreen in the incident.
Councillor Ian Mollison, who represents the area and lives nearby, said: “This is a very sad incident. My thoughts go out to the friends, family and neighbours of this poor man at this very difficult time, which is of course made even more difficult as it is now the run-up to Christmas.
“Many cars these days have cameras equipped in them, and I would urge drivers of such cars or anybody else who may have seen this incident, or the events prior, to phone the police.
“However innocuous you think your observation may be, the police could very well want to know.
“It’s really just an awful situation for everybody involved, and my heart goes out to those on board the bus, as well as the emergency services who have dealt with this dreadful situation.”
Sergeant Scott Deans, from the road policing unit, said: “This incident is completely tragic and our thoughts are with those involved. One death on our roads is one too many and the heartbreak that is left behind is far-reaching.
“Inquiries are continuing into the incident and I would ask anyone with information or dash cam footage who has not yet come forward to please get in touch.
“We are particularly keen to trace an Orange Ford Focus and a purple motor car that passed the scene around the time of the collision.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101.
