Woman left lying in crashed car for three days dies

An urgent review of all police call handling in Scotland has been launched by Scotland's Justice Secretary, following the death of Lamara Bell.

Ms Bell died in hospital today after she spent three days lying in a crashed car next to her dead boyfriend.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said "it is essential that answers are found quickly".

He added: “This independent review will provide an accurate picture of capacity and capability at present, and clearly identify any issues so they can be promptly remedied.

"On completion the report will be submitted to Ministers who will consider its recommendations."

Scottish Labour's justice spokeswoman Elaine Murray has renewed calls for an inquiry into how a couple were left in a crashed car for thee days, despite witnesses calling police.

John Yuill, 28, died in the accident while Lamara Bell, 25, who lay in a crashed car off the M9 near Stirling for three days, had died it was announced today.

A woman who lay in a crashed car beside her partner for three days, despite the accident being reported days earlier to police, has died.

Lamara Bell, 25, was left critically injured and her boyfriend, John Yuill, 28, died following the crash at the M9 near Stirling last Sunday. The incident was reported to police that day, but officers did not attaend the scene for 72 hours after another call.

Ms Bell was taken to Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital but has now lost her fight for life, her brother confirmed on Facebook.

Martin Bell stated: "My sister just passed away."

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House has apologised to the relatives of a couple who lay for three days in a crashed car, despite it being reported to police.

John Yuill, 28, died in the accident and Lamara Bell, 25, was seriously injured in the crash near Stirling.

A woman who lay injured in a car crash for three days before it was reported to police will be in hospital for months, her mother said.

Lamara Bell, 25, was seriously injured and her boyfriend John Yuill, 28, died when their car went off the road on the M9 near Stirling, Scotland on Sunday.

Miss Bell, who has two young children, is currently in a medically induced coma at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Her mother Diane Bell told the Scottish Sun: "She will be in hospital for a good few months. We don't know what she is going to be like [when she comes round]."

The father of a woman who was left severely hurt in a crashed car for three days after police reportedly ignored a 999 call broke down in tears as he told ITV News how he unknowingly drove past the spot on the morning of the accident.

Lamara Bell, aged 25, is no longer critical but remains in a serious condition in hospital after officers found her with the body of her boyfriend, 28-year-old John Yuill, who was killed in the smash.

Andrew Bell told ITV News that his daughter - herself a mother-of-one - was in a state of shock when she was found and thought she had been lying there just half an hour.

ITV News Scotland correspondent Debi Edward reports:

Police are searching the side of a motorway where two people were left in a crashed car for three days before being discovered.

John Yuill, 28, was killed in the smash near Junction 9 of the M9 near Stirling, Scotland. His girlfriend Lamara Bell, 25, is in a critical condition.

Their families have slammed police for allegedly ignoring an initial 999 call reporting the crash, and an investigation has been launched into why the call was not followed up at the time.

A manhunt had been launched earlier this week when the couple were reported missing.

Read: Couple 'left lying in crashed car for days despite police call'

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has said "serious questions must be answered" in the wake of the M9 car crash.

"I have been contacted by constituents and serving police officers who are horrified by this tragedy," he said.

"They want a thorough investigation into the serious issues raised by the case and whether they are connected to the wider problems with the operation of Police Scotland.

"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."

He added it was right that the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is investigating the matter but said a a wider independent investigation may be needed.

The family of a couple who were left in a field for three days after a car crash have blasted police for allegedly failing to answer a 999 call.

John Yuill, 28, died and his girlfriend Lamara Bell, 25, remains critically injured after the smash near Stirling in Scotland on Sunday.

An investigation has been launched into the police failure to follow up on a report a Renault Clio had gone off the road.

Mr Yuill's father Gordon told the Daily Record newspaper: "It wouldn't have made any difference for John. His injuries were such that he died on impact.

"But I feel it may have made a difference for Lamara. My heart goes out to her family for that."

Police Scotland told ITV News it would be inappropriate to comment at this time as an investigation is ongoing.