Tourist's foot 'slipped' onto accelerator as car hit lorry on A9 near Aviemore in Highlands

A Dutch tourist's foot slipped off his brake when he saw a lorry approaching and hit the accelerator, projecting him into the path of the oncoming HGV.

The two vehicles collided with the lorry being spun round and overturning on the A9 at the Granish junction, near Aviemore yesterday, resulting in the road being closed for several hours.

All the emergency services were called to the scene

Vincentius Arentz (53), from Lengel in the Netherlands, then tried to assist the lorry driver (46) who was later taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Fiscal depute David Morton told Inverness Sheriff Court: "His were not life-threatening injuries but he has a serious leg injury and broken ribs."

Arentz admitted causing serious injury by his careless driving of the Vauxhall Mokka.

Sheriff Sara Matheson heard from defence solicitor advocate Clare Russell, who said: "He saw the vehicle and it is accepted that his foot slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator. His two daughters were with him in the car and they will now need to do the driving."

Arentz was fined £1675 and banned from driving for two years.

Sheriff Matheson told him: "I am sorry your holiday took a turn for the worse but I am glad that no-one was killed."

Prior to his court appearance from custody, Police Scotland issued an appeal for witnesses.

The force said the incident happened at around 6.10pm yesterday and involved a DAF lorry and a Vauxhall Mokka car. The road was closed in both directions and reopened at around 4.30am today.