A WOMAN has died, and a man is in a critical condition, after a car crash near Ballantrae on Saturday.

The 50-year-old woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene, has been named as Patricia (Trisha) McIlwraith and lived in the Carrick area.

The accident happened at 2.40pm after a black Ford Fusion was involved in a collision with a white Ford Ranger.

The 63-year-old driver of the Fusion, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by coastguard helicopter, where his condition is described as ‘critical’. The driver of the Ford Ranger, a 46-year-old male, and his three male passengers, were taken by ambulance to Ayr Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and have since been released.

The accident happened on the A77 at Garleffin Wood, one mile south of Ballantrae and the road was closed for nine hours.

Sergeant Ian Thornton, Divisional Road Policing Unit, Ayrshire, said: “Although a number of people stopped to assist at the crash, we would still appeal for anyone who has not yet spoken to police, who either saw the crash or the vehicles being driven prior to the collision, or indeed have dashcam footage, to come forward.

“Please call officers at the Divisional Road Policing Unit at Irvine Police Station via 101. Quote reference number 2495 of 7 July 2018 when calling.”