M9 Crash Victim A 'Loveable Rogue' Funeral Hears

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 abeloved 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 than some 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 hisone or two girlfriends'' and spoke of Lamara, with whom it started by having Alysha, and (it) ended with Lamara''.