Eighteen-year-old Ross Workman died after his car collided with the Ford Transit bus by Meadowside around 11.30am.

The Kilsyth Academy pupil, who was travelling alone in the car, had to be cut free from the wreckage of his Peugeot by firefighters.

He was taken by road ambulance to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment, but he died a short time later from his injuries.

Mr Workman, who was training to be a chef in Glasgow, had been travelling south along the trunk road when he was involved in the collision with the minibus heading north.

The male driver who was the sole occupant of the minibus was uninjured in the crash. His name has not been released by police.

A Northern Constabulary spokesman confirmed that a report on the accident will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal's office in Inverness.

The A9 was closed for more than three hours while Northern Constabulary's road policing unit carried out investigations into the crash. Traffic was diverted via the B9152 Kincraig-Kingussie road.

The air ambulance was called to the scene of the accident, but by the time it arrived the decision had already been taken to transfer Mr Workman to hospital by road ambulance.

Mr Workman's family spoke yesterday (Tuesday) of their shock and grief.

A relative said: "Ross' parents and family would like to thank the excellent staff of Raigmore Hospital and the emergency services for all their help and support.

"We would also like to thank the people who witnessed the accident and provided assistance to Ross. This has brought great comfort to all of us.

"Ross will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Ross was a pupil at Kilsyth Academy and was studying to be a chef at Glasgow Metropolitan College, which he had a great passion for.

"Ross was also a commis chef at Glasgow Hilton, where we are sure he will be missed greatly."

Mr Workman's death has led to renewed calls for the A9 trunk road to be upgraded to dual carriageway status between Perth and Inverness.

Last month, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson revealed that the SNP Executive was committed to dualling the entire stretch of the A9 Perth to Inverness road.

Research is already underway to identify those sections most in need of upgrading. It is understood that the cost of dualling the entire stretch could be as much as £600 million.

Leading figures within the Association of British Drivers, however, said the investment would be a small price to pay if it resulted in lives being saved.

The organisation revealed that some slower motorists were failing to make the most of laybys along the trunk road to prevent long traffic tailbacks building up.

They urged drivers to take note of roadside signage telling slow drivers to pull over and let queues clear and reduce the risk of frustration that can lead to accidents.

Mr Peter Spinney, the association's regional co-ordinator for Scotland, highlighted an incident last month in which a queue over two miles in length built up behind a group of classic motor cycle riders who were travelling at 40mph through Badenoch and Strathspey. The queue travelled more than ten miles from Aviemore to Glentruim before the bikers pulled off to let it pass.

Mr Spinney said the time was right to think again about dualling the A9.

He said: "For far too long the North of Scotland has been neglected by politicians in Westminster and Edinburgh alike, and forced to endure an inadequate and dangerous road link to the rest of the country.

"Following Mr Stevenson's pledge, we now look forward to seeing some firm dates put forward – and the sooner the better."

He added: "Until this improvement is completed, I appeal to drivers to take notice of the signs on the A9 and pull over if they are causing a queue."

Eighty people have died on the A9 since 1999. In 2006, 11 people were killed on the road between Inverness and Perth – five while driving through Badenoch and Strathspey.

Mr Workman was the fourth person so far this year to die on the trunk road while travelling through the strath.

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