It Took Three Days For Cops To Respond To This Heartbreaking Fatal Crash

Police in Scotland are investigating how a couple who crashed their Renault Clio on Sunday morning were not discovered until the following Wednesday, despite officers receiving a report of a car having left the road shortly after it happened. Tragically, John Yuill, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend, 25-year-old Lamara Bell, suffered critical injuries - including kidney damage brought on by dehydration - and is currently in a medically induced coma.

The BBC reports that the couple left friends in Stirlinghsire in the early hours of Sunday, which was the last time they were seen. The next day, police launched an appeal for information after friends and family couldn’t get in contact with the pair.

Incredibly, Police Scotland has revealed that it received a call about a car leaving the road on Sunday morning, however no officers checked it out. It wasn’t until another call was made on Wednesday morning that officers attended the scene and found the couple.

A police statement said:

"As part of our investigation into this incident, it has come to light that a call was made to police late on Sunday morning regarding a car which was reported as being off the road. For reasons currently being investigated, that report was not followed up at the time. Following a call this morning, officers attended the scene."

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is investigating the incident, with particular focus on why the original call was not handled correctly. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

"Everyone agrees that a three day delay between the initial call to the control room and finding the couple is unacceptable and we need to establish why this happened.

"I know police officers have been deeply affected by this case. There is great upset within the force, and it is of such importance that serious questions must be answered."

This is a tragic tale, and we can only hope that it leads to a serious look at the way in which calls are handled. Our thoughts go out to the families of those involved.