Today a spokeswoman for his Northamptonshire-based foundation, the Wilson Foundation, said: "I can confirm that Mr Wilson sadly died yesterday.

"The Wilson Foundation will carry on, the family are very much in shock at the moment but the foundation will carry on its work."

The spokeswoman said more details would be released later by the foundation.

A Grampian Police spokesman said a man had died in the crash, but he would not be identified formally until later today. He said police attended the accident yesterday, along with an air ambulance, the Scottish Ambulance Service and Grampian Fire and Rescue at about 2.25pm.

The crash involved a lorry, a car, and a 4x4. It left the road closed in both directions. The spokesman confirmed the driver of the 4x4, who was taken by air ambulance to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, had died.

He said the woman driver of the car was cut free by firefighters and is said to be in a serious condition in hospital. The male lorry driver was unhurt.

Mr Wilson, 69, was a well-known figure in Northamptonshire. He built up his fortune through house-building firm Wilson Connolly along with his late brother Con. He is a former president of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club and also set up the Wilson Foundation in memory of his brother. The charity aims to "give a helping hand" to young people in Northamptonshire.