A father who died in a motorway crash which was reported to police but not responded to for three days has been described as a “great gift” to his family at his funeral.
John Yuill, 28, died after his car came off the M9 in Stirlingshire on July 5 in what his family has described as a tragic accident.
His girlfriend Lamara Bell, 25, lay critically injured for about 72 hours after officers failed to follow up a report of the crash. She died in hospital a week after the collision and the case is now the subject of an independent investigation.
Around 200 friends and relatives of Mr Yuill have attended a funeral mass at St Francis Xavier’s Church in Falkirk to say their final farewells to the “Celtic-daft” man, described by his father Gordon as a “beloved son”.
Anita Dollard, 49, who brought Mr Yuill up from an early age, told mourners the “loveable rogue” – the oldest of seven children – was a great friend to many people.
Giving the eulogy, she said: “John Yuill, you were an amazing child, a great gift to us, a great brother, a great friend to many people, a cheeky chap, a loveable rogue.
“Having you in our lives has been an honour and a pleasure. (We are) so proud that we were your mum and dad.
“Goodnight and God bless. Love you always son.”
Ms Dollard told mourners the 28-year-old had packed more into his life thansome people who live to the age of 90.
She said she first met him when he was two-years-old when he came to live with her and Gordon in 1989.
She told the congregation: “He was a livewire who talked constantly and slept little, who opened the fridge and took a bite of everything.
“John had two obsessions in life, cars and death. He could tell you what car it was by the tail lights. He was always talking about ghosts.”
Reflecting on his childhood as the big brother to three boys and three girls, she said: “He liked being the oldest and always told them all, ‘I’m the boss because I’m the biggest’ and, boy, did John love to be the boss.”
She went on: “He loved his siblings, which clearly continued on when he had his own children – Alysha, Jamie, Ryan and Nicole – whom he adored.”
Speaking of his love of football, she said: “John was always found with a ball at his feet – a great little football player – though it cost him a few punishment essays, for breaking the assembly hall window and latterly his wrist retrieving his ball from the school roof.
“He was Celtic-daft, saying the loves of his life were Celtic Football Club, his kids, his family and then his girlfriends.”
Ms Dollard told how Mr Yuill had various jobs as an adult but most enjoyed his last job recycling caravans with his father and two others.
She also made a “tongue-in-cheek” reference to his “one or two girlfriends” and spoke of “Lamara, with whom it started by having Alysha, and (it) ended with Lamara”.
A photograph of Mr Yuill in his Celtic top was at the front of the church forthe duration of the service.
Father Jamie Boyle told the gathering that Mr Yuill’s death has given his family and friends a “real sense of tragedy” at this time.
Referring to the circumstances of the car crash, he added: “Over the past three weeks there have indeed been lots of questions. There have been lots of ‘whys?’ and ‘what ifs?’ and ‘if onlys’.
“We wonder how many people passed their car, hundreds of people probably passed their car thinking someone else might have made that phone call.”
Ms Bell survived the crash near Stirling but died in hospital a week later. Her funeral will be held on Friday.
A member of the public called to report the accident and an operator took the details but they were not entered onto the police system and followed up.
The couple’s blue Renault Clio was found down an embankment when officers received another call from a member of the public on July 8.
Ms Bell’s family said in a message to relatives of Mr Yuill on the day of his funeral: “We can never be more than a thought apart. For as long as they live in our memory they live on in our hearts.”
Mr Yuill’s father has thanked friends, relatives and the local community for all the support given to the family in recent weeks.
Among those attending the funeral was Scottish Community Safety Minister Paul Wheelhouse and Falkirk MP John McNally. Police Scotland Chief Superintendent John Hawkins, the Forth Valley divisional commander, and Chief Inspector Mandy Paterson were also present.
Following the crash Scottish Justice Secretary Michael Matheson ordered a review of all police call handling.
The case is also the subject of an independent probe by the police investigations and review commissioner (Pirc).
Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House has faced calls to resign over the case.