PIRC hands interim report on M9 deaths to Crown

A police watchdog has given the Lord Advocate an interim report on the deaths of a couple who died following a car crash because police failed to log a phone call.

Lamara Bell and John Yuill crashed off the M9 near Stirling in July. They both suffered fatal injuries.

It was subsequently revealed a witness had called police to say they had seen the car come off the road but the call was not logged and emergency services did not attempt to look for the couple until three days after the crash.

Mr Yuill, who was a father-of-three, is believed to have died immediately. Ms Bell, who was a mother-of-two was found injured and seriously dehydrated but later died in hospital.

The Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC, instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to investigate the tragedy.

The PIRC has now submitted its interim findings to the Crown.

A PIRC spokesman said: “The Commissioner has submitted an interim report to the Lord Advocate on her independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of John Yuill, 28, and Lamara Bell, 25, following the recovery of a car close to the motorway at Bannockburn on 8 July 2015.

“The Lord Advocate will now consider the interim report and the Commissioner will undertake further enquiries as required.”

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMICS) published a review into police call handling last month.

It found some handlers were being pressured into ending calls quickly and that calls were being prioritised based on available resources.

Some staff were also noting information on paper rather than recording it on the computer system.

The report noted that the “stability” of the interim computer system was “in question” and suggested new technology be implemented.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Derek Penman said at the time: “The oversight of this project has been inadequate with key risks and other issues not being identified or highlighted to senior managers.

“There was an initial focus on meeting deadlines and increased productivity rather than a well-managed project with a focus on customer service, good staff relations and thorough process design.”