Woman arrested in connection with fatal crash on A96 in Aberdeenshire

A 32-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a road crash more than 10 months ago after which an RAF corporal died.

A white BMW i4 car and a Honda VFR800 motorcycle were involved in a collision on the A96 at Huntly, Aberdeenshire at around 11.30am on Tuesday March 5 last year.

The motorcyclist, 43-year-old corporal David Thorne, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The then 31-year-old woman, who police say was the driver of the car, was uninjured.

She has now been charged in connection with alleged road traffic offences, police said.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Mr Thorne, a father-of-three who served in the Royal Air Force for 26 years, was serving at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, when he died and had been selected for a promotion at 1 (Fighter) Squadron.

Originally from Cwmbran in Wales, he had served in the Falklands, as well as twice in Afghanistan and Cyprus on two occasions, and had turned down a previous promotion to stay in Moray.

Mr Thorne, who also had two grandchildren, had also worked as an instructor.

RAF Lossiemouth Station Commander Group Captain Jim Lee previously said: “He cared about people and was passionate about improving their day-to-day life in work. He lived the values we hold dear and his loss is felt by us all.”

Wing commander Edward Morris, of 1 (Fighter) Squadron, previously said: “Dave exemplified the meaning of service and duty to the RAF and his country.

“Dave’s approach was always selfless. He was focused on supporting others, particularly for our very junior members who he regularly assisted after hours.

“Always ready to put others before himself, he truly embodied leading by example.”