Mum spends three days lying next to dead partner after horror car crash
A mum-of-two had to spend three days lying next to her dead partner after a devastating car crash.
Lamara Bell, 25, passed away on July 12, 2015, after the collision on the M9 a week earlier.
The car came off the motorway near the city of Stirling in central Scotland, plunging into an embankment.
A member of the public called police to report the crashed car on July 5, but no action was taken until another witness noticed the car three days later, hearing Ms Bell pleading for help.
John Yuill, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene on July 8, 2015.
His partner, who died four days later, suffered a brain injury, broken limb, and severe dehydration.
The couple, from Falkirk, had earlier been reported missing by friends.
On Tuesday, September 7, the High Court in Edinburgh heard that medical experts believed Lamara Bell could have survived with faster treatment.
The Office of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland was fined £100,000 at the court after admitting faults that "materially contributed" to Ms Bell's death.
The Chief Constable, Iain Livingstone, said: "Lamara Bell and John Yuill's deaths were a tragedy and my thoughts today are with their children, families and friends.
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"The preservation of life and helping people who are in crisis go to the heart of our duty to keep people safe. Police Scotland failed Lamara and John in that duty, and for that I am sorry.
"On behalf of policing in Scotland, I apologise unreservedly to their families.
"And if the families agree to do so, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with them, when they are ready, to personally convey my apology."
Police Scotland has been co-operating with the Crown Office investigation into the crash.
Mr Livingstone added: "The call-handling system in place in 2015 exposed the public to an unacceptable risk and led to tragedy.
"People are entitled to expect help when their police service tells them they will respond.
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"Our failure in July 2015 undoubtedly weakened the relationship of trust that exists in Scotland between policing and the communities we serve."
Mr Livingstone said since then there had been "significant improvements" to address risks associated with call handling and across the service.
Lamara's mum Diane Bell said: "We are a private family and now have a lot to consider and come to terms with – and as such, to assist with our healing process, we require time and space so we now respectfully request that our privacy is respected.
“But the important thing now that today we have the conviction. Finally, we can say – Lamara has justice.”
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