Driver faces triple death trial

The crash happened on a stretch of the Turriff to Fyvie road

A man has gone on trial charged with causing three deaths by dangerous driving in Aberdeenshire.

John Wells, 20, denies causing the deaths of Stuart Johnston and Emma Foster, both 19, and her 24-year-old fiance Jonathan Gray.

Mr Wells, of Turriff, was driving a Ford Escort when it was involved in a collision with a Nissan Micra on the Turriff to Fyvie road last November.

The trial got underway at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Ms Foster, of Silverhillocks, Banffshire, and Mr Gray, of Aberdeen, had announced their engagement just days before the smash claimed their lives. Mr Johnston was from Millbrex, Fyvie.

'Slight response'

Mr Wells is alleged to have dangerously overtaken a car into the path of the Micra, causing the deaths of the three friends.

Witness Andrew Wiseman, 38, was among the first on the scene. He told the court: "When I passed the cars there was smoke everywhere."

The delivery driver said of the Micra: "I noticed the passenger hanging out of the window and asked if he was dead. He responded: 'My legs are jammed'.

"I said I couldn't move him but told him to keep on talking to me. The driver was leaning towards him with his head slouched over. The passenger kept on shouting his name.

"I shouted his name to see if he would respond."

Mr Wiseman said there was "a slight response, a head movement".

The trial continues.