The Dundee to Aberdeen dual carriageway remains closed south of Stonehaven following a crash tragedy which left three people dead and four in hospital.
Traffic Scotland said the road at Glenbervie is likely to remain shut on Wednesday morning as police investigations into the circumstances of the crash are investigated.
Diversions have been put in place and drivers have been warned to expect delays, particularly through the village of Inverbervie.
⚠️Be Aware⚠️#A90 remains CLOSED⛔️ both Ways at Glenbervie.
Diversion is slow and busy through Inverbervie village, leave extra time this morning https://t.co/acWXgtPwiR
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 13, 2019
The fatalities were confirmed by Police Scotland following the incident near Glenbervie which left several trapped inside vehicles following the collision on the A90 near Glenbervie at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said four people had been cut free from the vehicles involved.
The incident involved two cars, a red Renault Megane and a silver Ford B Max, and a Megabus bus.
Four other people were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, one person was airlifted and three went by road ambulance.
Their injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening.
The dual carriageway was closed in both directions, with drivers being told to find “alternative” routes. Police said they expected it to remain closed until after Wednesday’s rush hour.
*UPDATE* 18:15⌚️#A90 is still ⛔️CLOSED⛔️ in both directions around Glenbervie/Drumlithie and will be for some time after a serious multi-vehicle RTC. Emergency services are on scene.
Diversion is in operation as shown below, traffic heavy ?@NETrunkRoads @Aberdeenshire pic.twitter.com/ywliF5JpQM
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 12, 2019
A fire and rescue spokeswoman said three appliances had been sent to the scene from Altens and Stonehaven, along with a heavy rescue unit from Aberdeen’s North Anderson Drive.
A SFRS spokeswoman said: “We are in attendance there at the moment. We have got a report it was between one bus and three cars.
“There are reports of persons trapped. Firefighters are at work just now to release persons that are trapped.
A90 B966 – A92 – Closure, All lanes closed in both directions for more than an hour https://t.co/Zl00b2QSMA #TSIncident
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 12, 2019
“There is an appliance from Stonehaven and there is another two from Altens and a heavy rescue unit from North Anderson Drive.”
Police Scotland have appealed for anyone travelling on the road at the time who may have witnessed the incident to call 101.
Road Policing Chief Inspector Stewart Mackie said: “This has been a challenging incident for the emergency services to deal with and my thoughts are with the families of all those affected by this.”
Traffic Scotland posted: “The A90 is closed in both directions near Glenbervie, south of Stonehaven.
“Road users are advised to use an alternative route at this time and allow extra time for their journey.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 4.33pm today to attend a road traffic accident on the A90, south of Glenbervie.
“We dispatched five ambulances, our special operations team, a helimed resource, our trauma team, a 3RU unit, two managers and a patient transport resource to the scene.
“We transported four patients to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”