A 36-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman have died after a car crash near Newton Stewart.

The incident involving six people took place on the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer at 5.10pm last night.

The male driver of the Suzuki Grand Vitara died at the scene while the 77-year-old passenger died in hospital.

A 81-year-old man, who was in the Vauxhall Meriva, is also in a serious condition at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as a result of the collision between the two cars. 

He was taken to the hospital by helicopter.

Emergency services rushed to the scene near Ardachie, Kircowan, Newton Stewart where they also treated three other women aged 70, 72 and 33-years-old.

The 70 year old woman remains within Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and the 72 year old man remains within Stranraer Community Hospital for treatment.  Both are described by medical staff as being in a stable condition.

The 33 year old woman sustained minor injuries and was released today after treatment at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

Enquiries into the crash are continuing.

Any witnesses are asked to contact Dumfries Road Policing Unit via 101 quoting incident number 2987/06.