Driver admits to causing death of Fife couple in Argyll crash
George Murphy will be sentenced in the New Year
A man from East Renfrewshire has admitted to causing the death of a couple on holiday in Argyll after a head on collision.
Martin and Josephine Couseland from Anstruther in Fife died after their Audio Q2 was struck by George Murphy’s Ford Mondeo on March 31 2023.
The 55 year old caused the crash after overtaking three vehicles and then trying to pass a bus on the A85.
His two sons were also injured in the incident, with one suffering a spinal injury, while the other had a broken hip which was shattered in 12 places.
"There was nothing they could do to save the lives of Josephine and Martin"
Murphy, who already had a history of road traffic offences appeared at the High Court in Glasgow where he pleaded guilty to causing the deaths and serious injury by dangerous driving.
The dad had been on bail, but was remanded in custody by judge Lord Arthurson, pending sentencing in the New Year.
The crash occurred on the A85 Oban to Perth trunk road at Glen Lochy around six miles from Tyndrum in Argyll.
Josephine, 69, had been driving the couple's Audi that day with her 70-year-old husband Martin the passenger when tragedy struck.
"Not a day passes where he is not haunted by his driving"
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC explained: "As she emerged out of a dip in the road, her vehicle collided head-on with the Ford Mondeo.
"Murphy had been travelling east on the westbound carriageway after performing a multi-vehicle overtake when approaching the brow of the hill."
Murphy had tried to get round the coach despite having "insufficient visibility of oncoming traffic" due to the approaching blind summit and bend.
Footage of the crash, which was caught on dashcam by the bus, was shown in court, as well as photos of the wreckage. Mr Prentice: "Several drivers and passengers from other vehicles ran to assist the occupants of both cars.
"Caused the destruction of human life"
"There was nothing they could do to save the lives of Josephine and Martin Cousland."
The court heard the Couslands - who had two daughters Penelope and Zoe - lived on a farmhouse in Anstruther.
Josephine had previously studied geography at Edinburgh University. She went on to work in human resources.
Martin had been an engineering project manager before his retirement.
Murphy's KC Tony Graham KC said: "There is not a day that passes where he is not haunted by his driving that day.
"They had a great zest for life"
"It is driving that he has little recollection of as he, too, was injured.
"This is a situation where the Couslands had been embarking on a holiday in the west coast.
"Mr Murphy and his family had been returning from a similar holiday in Oban.
"It should have been a pleasant day and not resulted in what then took place."
The defence advocate added Murphy could not escape that he had "caused the destruction of human life" and appreciates that he will "never be forgiven".
Lord Arthurson deferred sentencing for reports.
"They have been deprived of growing into old age together"
After the hearing, the couple’s daughters released a statement describing how Martin and Josephine had been "killed in this un-necessary and horrific way".
They also said: "Our parents were fun, kind and caring people. They had a great zest for life.
"They have been deprived of growing into old age together and of more time with friends and family.
"Our lives will never be the same. We would plead to all road users to drive safely and consider all the potential consequences of not doing so."
The daughters also thanked those who tried to help their parents at the scene.