Horror car crash leaves Peterhead dad with teeth embedded in skull

A dad who suffered life-changing injuries in a car crash has spoken for the first time about his recovery.

Robert Cruickshank was driving on the A950 Mintlaw to Longside road in rural Aberdeenshire when he was struck by another vehicle which carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.

Robert, 41, suffered multiple broken bones and skin lacerations and was left in a coma for a week.

The dad-of-three has also not been able to return to work since the crash in October 2024. 

Last month at Peterhead Sheriff Court the driver who caused the crash was sentenced to 167 hours community service and banned from driving for 14 months.

But dad-of-three Robert said the end of the criminal case has not brought any peace of mind.

He said: “This man forever changed the course of my life.

“My physical injuries have been so severe that I can’t do things I used to - my body literally doesn’t work properly anymore. 

“I have not been able to return to work since the crash. 

“I had to alter the layout of my home due to mobility issues. My friends even had to build me a make-shift ramp to get in and out of my house.

“I even still have a pieces of my own teeth embedded in my skull. I can feel the painful shards each time I chew and I’ll likely need more surgery to remove them.

“I think there really needs to be further discussion about considering the rights and reflections of the victims of these incidents, and not simply debate what to do with the offenders.”

The court heard Robert suffered a broken right leg, two broken knees, a broken nose, a broken jaw, a broken cleft palate, multiple skin lacerations and four lost teeth - he was placed in an induced coma for five days. 

Victoria Evans, Associate Accredited Paralegal in the firm’s Aberdeen office, is now helping Robert with a road traffic accident claim against the driver who caused the crash.

It is hoped the action will recover lost earnings while helping Robert access enhanced medical treatment to improve his future recovery.

More information about the crash and the court case can be found in the Press & Journal.