Police are investigating the death of a pensioner who was trapped against a caravan after being hit by a car at a campsite.

The 65-year-old man was thought to have been standing outside the static caravan when he was struck by the 4X4 vehicle.

The tragedy happened at the East Balthangie campsite near Cuminestown in Aberdeenshire.

Fire crews used airbags to free the man, who is believed to be from Dunbartonshire, but he died of his injuries.

Police cordoned off the area as investigators examined the scene and interviewed camp staff and holidaymakers following the accident, which happened at 8.35pm on Sunday .

The stretch of private road around the static caravans was taped off, blocking the road to traffic from both directions.

Shortly before midnight, an undertaker arrived at the scene.

The man's widow was still believed to be at the caravan park yesterday.

Relatives are thought to have made their way to the East Balthangie site to help comfort the woman.

Police said the pensioner would not be named until all his relatives had been informed of his death.

The damaged silver Daihatsu Terios 4X4 was left resting against the side of the static caravan yesterday.

The camping ground was still open to the public as the police continued their investigation into the collision.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters had battled to save the pensioner along with paramedics who had also rushed to the scene.

A fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters were quickly on scene and immediately worked on stabilising the vehicle which had collided with a static caravan.

"Working closely with colleagues from the police and Scottish Ambulance Service, firefighters used airbags to lift the vehicle and release the trapped man.

"However, despite the quick actions and best efforts of all the emergency service personnel involved, the man died from his injuries at the scene."

Local station manager Paul Geddes added: "Our firefighters worked in a very professional manner under difficult circumstances and worked closely with our colleagues from the ambulance service to release the man quickly."

He added: "Our thoughts are with the family of the gentleman who lost his life."

The owner of the caravan site was not available for comment yesterday.

Local SNP councillor Sandy Duncan said he had no details of the circumstances but described the accident as a tragedy.

He said: "My thoughts are with the family. Any accident is a tragedy of course, but when it is fatal it is even more of a tragedy."

The campsite is popular with families and holidaymakers thanks to its proximity to the Banffshire coast.