UK NEWS

POLICE APOLOGISE FOR DEATH CRASH BLUNDER

Sorry say police

Thursday July 2,2009

A YOUNG driver accused of taking part in a race which ended in a fatal smash has been cleared of dangerous driving.

Sheriff James Hendry said he could not convict Callum Wood because a police blunder meant the speed of the cars involved and their distance apart could not be proved.

And last night, police promised to apologise to the families of Sam Crouchley, 18, and passengers Rebecca Dick, 16, and Amy Jaffray, 15, who died in the 2006 tragedy.

They admitted serious errors had been made in their initial inquiry but vowed they would not happen in future.

Grampian Police Chief Inspector Ian Wallace said: “Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this collision.

“A senior officer will contact the families to offer our apologies for the shortcomings highlighted.

“It is clear that certain elements of our investigation process have fallen short of the high standards we set and that which the public expects from us.

“The failing appears to be a result of human error and I have already taken steps to prevent this happening again.

“We await a full report on the sheriff’s findings and we will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure our investigations are conducted to the highest of standards.”

Sam Crouchley lost control of his Seat Ibiza and hit a people carrier on a bridge on the A95 Keith to Banff road. Wood, 21, driving behind Sam, was charged with driving at excessive speeds and so close that he failed to avoid the collision.

Police estimated Sam’s speed as at least 83mph. But during the trial at Elgin Sheriff Court their calculations were found to be wrong.