Two parents and their children, aged one and three, have died following a two-vehicle crash in the Highlands.

The collision involving a Mini Cooper and a Ford Fiesta happened on the A82 by Hillfarm, Torlundy, at around 5.30pm on Thursday.

Police said a 26-year-old woman, a 25-year-old man and two girls aged one and three who were in the Mini Cooper were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta, a 56-year-old woman, was taken to Belford Hospital, Fort William, with injuries described as serious but non-life threatening.

Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Emergency services were made aware of a road traffic collision involving two vehicles on the A82 near Torlundy around 5.30pm on Thursday February 20.

“I can sadly confirm that four people have died – a female driver, 26, a male front-seat passenger, 25, and two children – both girls aged three and one. All four were travelling in a green Mini Cooper.

“Further details will be confirmed in due course but I can confirm that they were a family. Specialist officers have been deployed to provide support to their relatives at this extremely difficult time.

“The other vehicle involved was a red Ford Fiesta car. The 56-year-old woman who was driving suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the Belford Hospital in Fort William for treatment.”

He added: “The scene faced by our police officers and emergency partners from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service was extremely challenging, and I would take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their efforts in the face of such a distressing incident.

“Every loss of life on our roads is a tragedy but the impact on families, friends and entire communities after an incident like this cannot be underestimated. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been involved or affected.

“An investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances leading to this tragedy and it would be wrong for me to speculate on the cause at this time.

“However, I would ask that anyone who was in the area last night, who may have seen either vehicle involved before the collision or who may have dashcam footage to please contact police 101, quoting incident 2942 of 20 February.”

The A82 was closed for around 11 and a half hours after the crash.

Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, tweeted: “This is extremely sad news. Thinking of the families and friends who are dealing with the shock of all of this.”

Local councillor Andrew Baxter said: “It’s appalling to hear of any fatality on our roads. It is even more so to hear of this dreadful tragedy and that it seems to have affected a young family.

“From the reaction that I’ve seen on social media and by talking to local residents, I know there is widespread shock and disbelief across Lochaber, with people thinking about those who have lost their lives, as well as the friends and family of those affected.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 2942 of February 20.