Scottish police failed to record deadly car crash call

Scottish police failed to react to a call over a fatal car crash because the information was not logged on their systems, it emerged today.

John Yuill, 28, died in the accident and Lamara Bell, 25, was seriously injured in the crash on the M9 near Stirling, which was first reported to police on Sunday but not followed up for three days.

Apologising to the families of the couple, Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House revealed the details of the incident were not logged after an "experienced officer" took the call.

"The mistakes made in not responding to the call from a member of the public on Sunday, July 5, arose because the information received was not entered onto our systems, " said Sir Stephen.

"All callers to 101 receive an electronic options menu. This call was answered within six seconds following that message by an experienced officer and the relevant details were given by the caller.

"For reasons yet to be established this call was not entered onto our police systems and not actioned out to operational teams in the Stirling area to respond and trace the vehicle."

The couple were reported missing after visiting Loch Earn, Stirlingshire, in a blue Renault Clio on Sunday.

Sir Stephen said both families were aware of the new details and described the incident as an "individual failure in our service".

"Everyone in Police Scotland feels this most profoundly," Sir Stephen said.

"That we failed both families involved is without doubt."

An investigation into the incident is to be carried out by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.