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Nailed mats found on A99 could have caused serious accident


By David G Scott

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Two car mats embedded with nails were recovered from the A99 road near Thrumster last night (Saturday, January 2) in what has been described as a "sickening act" by members of the public.

The home-made devices may have acted like a police stinger, or spike strip, to puncture car tyres and potentially cause a serious, if not fatal, accident.

Two car mats with nails embedded were found on the A99 near Thrumster. Picture: Police Scotland
Two car mats with nails embedded were found on the A99 near Thrumster. Picture: Police Scotland

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Two car mats with nails embedded in them were deliberately placed on the A99 south of Wick between Hempriggs straight and Thrumster village on Saturday, 2 January, between 7.55pm and 8.15pm.

"Thankfully, no vehicles drove over them but the consequences could have been serious."

On the Highlands and Islands police division Facebook page, a post about the incident attracted hundreds of angry responses urging police to catch the perpetrator as soon as possible and the court to "dish out proper punishment".

One woman commented: "The roads were extremely dangerous with black ice last night for some idiot to put peoples lives in danger on top of the already dangerous conditions."

Police urge the public to call 101 quoting reference NJ/6/21 if they know who was responsible or have any helpful information.

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