12 Jul 2015

Mother trapped in crashed car for three days dies

A review of all police call handling in Scotland has been launched after a mother died in hospital, having spent three days lying in the car, next to her dead boyfriend.

Lamara Bell, 25, was critically injured when her car crashed off the M9 near Stirling on Sunday 5 July. She was only found in the car on Wednesday, around 72 hours later, despite the incident being reported to police on the day it happened.

Her boyfriend, 28-year-old John Yuill, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Ms Bell died at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital shortly before 7am on Sunday.

Scotland’s Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has formally directed Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) to undertake an urgent review of all police call handling following the incident.

He said he had made the decision following a discussion with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. An additional inquiry is underway into the specific incident.

“This will be a thorough and speedy review that will help to ensure that the people of Scotland can have full confidence in this vital public service,” Mr Matheson said.

The couple were reported missing after visiting Loch Earn, Stirlingshire, in their blue Renault Clio. A member of the public called police at around 11:30am on Sunday 5 July to say that they could see a vehicle down the embankment on the M9.

‘Devastated’

For reasons “yet to be established” the call was not entered onto police systems and no action was taken. The car was found when officers were called to the scene by another member of the public on Wednesday.

Police Scotland’s Chief Constable last week apologised to the relatives of the two crash victims and admitted that information received about the crash on Sunday had not been entered in to police systems.

Sir Stephen House said he welcomed the HMICS call handling review, adding that he had asked Mr Matheson to initiate it.

Numerous tributes to Ms Bell have been posted online and Mr Yuill’s family have spoken of their devastation following news of the second death.

A statement from the Bell family requested privacy and said: “Sadly, our daughter has passed away.”

Mr Yuill’s relatives said: “The family of John Yuill would like to say that their prayers and thoughts are with Lamara and her family. We are devastated by the sad news this morning.

“The families have messaged each other this morning and our thoughts are with John and Lamara’s children at this very sad time.”