Search for driver ongoing after car goes into River Nairn
The passenger was taken to Raigmore hospital for assessment.
Last updated 14th Nov 2025
A driver left the scene before police arrived as a car crashed off the road and into the River Nairn earlier today.
Emergency services were called out near to the Howford Bridge at around 9.30am.
A passenger was taken to Raigmore hospital for assessment while police say they're looking to trace the driver.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 9.15am on Friday, 14 November, 2025, we received a report of a car entering the River Nairn off Cawdor Road.
“Emergency services attended, and one person, the passenger, was taken to hospital for assessment.
“Enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver who left the scene before police arrived.”
This evening, police in the Highlands launched an appeal to find 59-year-old Martin Hannah who has been reported missing from the Nairn area.
He's described as 5ft 7ins tall, of slim build with short red hair, wearing a black t-shirt and black jogger bottoms.
Members of the public are asked not to approach Martin, but to contact Police Scotland immediately.
Officers say they received information to suggest Martin was last seen on Cawdor Road at the same time as they were called to the incident involving the car.
We've asked Police Scotland if the two are linked.
There was a large emergency services presence in the area earlier today, with two fire engines, two water rescue units and two ambulances among those sent to the incident.
A coastguard helicopter and coastguard teams from Nairn and Inverness were also deployed in a search-and-rescue operation.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 09:32 to attend an incident near Howford Bridge, south of Nairn.
"We dispatched two ambulances to the scene, and we transported one patient to Raigmore Hospital.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: "We were alerted at 9.25am on Friday, 14 November to reports of a car entering the water at Howford Bridge in Nairn.
“Operations Control immediately mobilised two appliances and two boat resources to the scene.
“Two occupants had already exited the vehicle, and one casualty was in the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“Crews left the scene around 12noon after ensuring the area was made safe.”