Police hunt driver of stolen car after ‘harrowing’ crash leaves one dead
THE driver of a stolen car that caused a “harrowing” fatal crash is being hunted by police.
Three cars were directly involved in the collision, which happened near the Maybury roundabout in Edinburgh, at about 12.30am yesterday.
It occurred after a grey Audi A3 was seen speeding from the Barnton area towards the roundabout and was seen to drive along the chevron area to overtake a number of vehicles.
As the Audi approached the roundabout, it headed into the opposing carriageway, causing a BMW to swerve and collide with a Peugeot 206 travelling in the opposite direction.
Following the collision, the Peugeot 206 caught fire. After the blaze was put out, the sole occupant of the vehicle was found dead inside.
Three people in a BMW car, including a five-year-old girl, were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment after being injured in the crash.
Police Scotland said they are looking to trace the occupants of a stolen Audi A3 which was being driven in a “dangerous and reckless” manner and ultimately caused the incident.
The Audi was found by police in Cowdenbeath, Fife, less than four hours later.
Police said it had been stolen from the Liberton area of Edinburgh more than a month ago, on April 17.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Those within this vehicle have 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.”
Police leading the manhunt also want to trace the occupants of a silver hatchback car, which is thought to have been travelling in convoy with the Audi and is believed to have headed to Fife.
Officers shut the road following the crash and it remained closed into yesterday afternoon.
Chief Inspector David Happs, local area commander for north west Edinburgh, said: “We recognise the impact this incident has had on the community, not only in relation to the traffic issues, but due to the harrowing nature in which a person has died.
“We will be conducting door-to-door inquiries.”