Police complaints body criticises officers over accident

An independent investigation has criticised the way police officers handled a road accident which resulted in a man losing his leg.

Greig Yorke from Carnoustie, a former Army tank driver, was struck by a car while he walked along the A92 near Arbroath at the beginning of June.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, John McNeill, looked into the handling of the incident.

He said there were clear failings before and after the incident.

Mr McNeill concluded opportunities were missed by officers and staff which may have prevented the accident from happening.

The commissioner's findings, published on Wednesday, said that at about 03:00 on Sunday, 2 June, Mr Yorke was returning home from a night out with friends in Arbroath.

As the 39-year-old walked on the A92 he was struck by a car resulting in part of his leg being severed.

Due to the extent and nature of the injury the limb could not be re-attached, the report said.

It added that prior to the accident Mr Yorke had had contact with officers from Police Scotland on a "number of occasions".

The commissioner recommended that Police Scotland investigate the actions of some of the police officers involved in dealing with the victim.

It also called on the service to emphasise to staff that "preservation of life by rendering emergency assistance must always be a primary concern of the police".

Supt Eleanor Mitchell, from Police Scotland, said: "Following our referral to the PIRC to investigate the circumstances of the incident on 2nd June 2013, we can confirm that we are now in receipt of their report.

"We will consider the findings carefully and make sure that any concerns are addressed."

Mr McNeill's role as commissioner is to undertake independent investigations into the most serious incidents involving the police and to provide independent scrutiny of the way police bodies operating in Scotland respond to complaints from the public.