A young footballer is fighting for his life after being involved in a car crash with his teammates

Chris Tucker, who plays for Elgin City under-21s, was travelling with two other players in a black Vauxhall Corsa when it hit a teammate's car and crashed into a tree on the A96 near Alves in Moray.

Six footballers, aged 16 to 21, were travelling in the two cars at the time when they collided at about 10.15pm on Wednesday.

Tucker, 21, was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he remains in a critical condition, while three other men, aged 16, 17 and 21 were taken to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin with minor injuries.

The accident happened as they headed home from a game against Inverness City at the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall.

A spokeswoman for Elgin City FC said: "Elgin City Football Club are aware there was a serious traffic accident involving Elgin City young players. We have been informed that one 21-year-old player remains in intensive care at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. At this time, the club will make no further statement."

Sergeant Chris Whelan, of the Grampian Road Policing Department said: "This is a tragic incident which has left a young male in a critical condition. We are in the process of establishing the cause of the collision and it is important we trace all witnesses and I appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us at the earliest opportunity."