Stolen car involved in fatal road traffic collision found in Fife

Police appeal for witnesses to incident which left one person dead after car caught fire

A car involved in a fatal road collision which left one person dead and three others injured has been found abandoned in Fife.

The grey Audi A3 was seen travelling at speed from the Barnton area of Edinburgh at around 12.30am yesterday before heading towards the Maybury roundabout.

The car then drove along the chevron area, overtaking a number of vehicles, before swerving into the opposing carriageway.

A BMW was forced to swerve out of the way and collided with a Peugeot 206 which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The Peugeot then caught fire and the sole occupant of the car was found dead inside by fire crews.

The people inside the BMW – a 25-year-old man, 22-year-old woman and five-year-old girl – were taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where they continue to be treated.

The Audi A3 made off from the area following the collision and was found on Lochgelly Road in Cowdenbeath at around 3.50am.

The car was stolen from the Liberton area of Edinburgh on April 17.

A major investigation has been launched and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward as the road remains closed.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger from Edinburgh CID said: “At this time we believe the stolen Audi A3 has been driven in a dangerous and reckless manner, which has caused this collision to take place in which a person has died.

“Those within this vehicle have then failed to stop and it appears they have thereafter travelled into Fife.

“We have dedicated significant resources to this inquiry and while we have now recovered the Audi, the driver and anyone else within the car are yet to be traced.

“As part of this investigation we are keen to know if anyone has seen the stolen Audi A3 being driven or in unusual or suspicious circumstances in Edinburgh or elsewhere since April 17 2018.

“We are also keen to trace the occupants of a silver-coloured hatchback car, which is believed to have been travelling in convoy with the Audi and is also believed to have headed into Fife.

“I would ask that anyone who can help us trace these individuals to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact CID at Corstorphine via 101 and quote incident number 108 of May 25.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

We have dedicated significant resources to this inquiry and while we have now recovered the Audi, the driver and anyone else within the car are yet to be traced

Picture: SWNS. Remains of the burnt car on Maybury Road, west of Edinburgh city centre.