German and US tourists charged after crashes on A9
GoogleTwo tourists have been accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following two separate crashes on the A9 on Saturday.
Gunter Schmeig, 58, from Germany, has been charged in connection with a collision near Newtonmore, which left four people hurt.
US visitor David Margil, 56, has been charged after two people were injured in a four-vehicle crash near Aviemore.
Both men made no plea when they appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court.
They were released on bail.
The first collision involved a white Vauxhall Crossland, allegedly driven by Mr Schmeig, and a blue Jaguar XF.
Police said it happened at the Ralia junction at about 14:00.
Two passengers travelling in the Crossland - a 55-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man - were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and later discharged.
Two female passengers, aged 61 and 55, from the Jaguar were also taken to hospital for treatment to serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The second crash happened at about 17:25 near the Lynwilg junction, south of Aviemore.
The incident involved a white Vauxhall Corsa, allegedly driven by Mr Margil, a black Land Rover Discovery, blue Ford Fiesta and silver Volkswagen Amarok.
A 17-year-old male passenger from the Corsa was taken to Raigmore for treatment to serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
A 54-year-old woman from the same vehicle was also taken to hospital and has since been discharged.
No-one else was injured in the crash.
Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, emergency services were called to a serious crash on the B876, near Wick in Caithness.
The single-vehicle collision happened at about 04:15 and involved a white Audi A3 near to the Quoybrae junction.
The 22-year-old female driver was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where her condition was described as critical.
Police Scotland has appealed for information on the three incidents.