Bike in flames after sheep crash

The road was closed for several hours to allow an accident investigation

Police have appealed for witnesses after a motorcyclist was badly injured when he crashed into a stray sheep, setting the bike on fire.

The accident happened on the unclassified Cuminestown to Fyvie Road on Saturday morning.

The 47-year-old's black Honda Fireblade collided with a sheep that had strayed from a field onto the road. The bike was destroyed by the resulting fire.

The man was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.

Safety warning

The road was closed for several hours to allow an accident investigation.

The death of three motorcyclists had prompted a weekend warning about road safety.

Michelle Smith, 40, from Ellon in Aberdeenshire, was heading north on the A99 at the Hill of Stanes junction in Caithness when she was killed at 1930 BST on Friday.

Andy Barron, 21, from Aberdeen, was also killed on Friday when his orange Kawasaki crashed on the A93 near Dinnet.

And a man died on Saturday night after his motorcycle lost control and hit the central reservation of the M8 shortly before midnight.