Dog dies and three people in hospital after A96 crash involving stolen car

A two car collision near Inverness involving a stolen vehicle has left three people in hospital and a dog has died.

Emergency services raced out to the scene of the crash near the Ardersier turn-off at around 8.45am today.

A 50-year-old woman, who was driving a red Vauxhall Corsa which had been reported as stolen from Buckie, was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

A 74-year-old woman, who was a passenger in a black Volvo XC60, was also airlifted to the same hospital.

The 74-year-old man driving the Volvo was driven to Raigmore for treatment.

Police Scotland say a dog travelling in the Corsa has died and enquiries are ongoing.

A spokesperson said: "Road policing officers are appealing for information following a serious collision near Inverness.

"Around 8.45am on Friday, 18 July, 2025, emergency services were called to a two-vehicle crash on the A96 at Newton of Petty.

"The 50-year-old female driver of a red Vauxhall Corsa was taken by air ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

"A 74-year-old woman, who was the passenger of a black Volvo XC60, was also taken by air ambulance to the same hospital.

"The 74-year-old male driver of the Volvo was taken by road ambulance to Raigmore Hospital.

"A dog travelling in the Corsa died at the scene.

"It has been established the Corsa had earlier been reported stolen from the Buckie area."

Dash-cam footage wanted

At the time of writing, the road is closed while crash investigations are carried out.

Sergeant Ewan Calder added: “Our enquiries into the crash and the events leading up to it are ongoing.

“I’m appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened, or saw the vehicles prior to the collision, to contact us.

"I’d also ask drivers with dash-cams to review their footage and bring anything of significance to our attention.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0755 of 18 July, 2025.