The controversial chief constable of Police Scotland has apologised after police failed to attend a fatal road accident for three days.
John Yuill died in the accident while his girlfriend Lamara Bell lay in the wrecked car next to his corpse until help finally arrived 72 hours later.
In an unprecedented statement issued on Friday afternoon Sir Stephen admitted the force had “failed both families”.
Although the crash was reported to police on Sunday – and missing person appeals were issued by police on both Monday and Tuesday – the crashed car was not discovered until Wednesday morning near junction nine of the M9.
Sir Stephen said police received a call about the accident around 11.30am on Sunday but “an experienced officer” failed to log details of the call.
He said the reason for this mistake has still not been established.Sir Stephen’s statement in full“Firstly I want to apologise to the families of John Yuill and Lamara Bell and to the people of Scotland for this individual failure in our service.
“Everyone in Police Scotland feels this most profoundly.
“The details given below have been shared with both families but I feel it is right that we also make them public.
“I completely understand the level of concern being raised about the circumstances surrounding the handling of the incident of the crash near the M9 slip road at Bannockburn, and in particular, Police Scotland’s response to information received. That we failed both families involved is without doubt.
“However, I want to make clear to members of the public, and all those who have rightly expressed concern, that 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.
“We know that just prior to 11.30am on Sunday July 5 2015 a member of the public contacted Police Scotland via the 101 system to report that they could see a vehicle down an embankment near the M9 slip road at Bannockburn.
“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.
“Shortly before 10am on July 8 2015 a second call was made to Police Scotland via the 101 system. This call was answered, recorded and allocated to operational teams who located Mr Yuill and Ms Bell within their car.
“Police Scotland are legally constrained from giving any detail into an incident if it is referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), as this incident rightly was.
“As the public would expect, the police must remain independent of this investigation which will be carried out by the PIRC under the direction of the Crown.
“All further detail going forward will therefore be a matter for the Crown Office and the PIRC.”