M9 crash victim Lamara Bell’s funeral announced

THE brother of M9 crash victim Lamara Bell has announced details of his sister’s funeral service later this week.

The funeral service for M9 crash victim Lamara Bell will take place on Friday. Picture: Contributed

The mother-of-two, who died in hospital after lying inside a crashed car near Stirling with her partner John Yuill, 28, for three days, is to be laid to rest on Friday after a humanist service at Camelon Crematorium Hall in Falkirk.

In a Facebook post, her brother Martin Bell said doves are to be released next to his sister’s graveside, and friends and family can write notes that will be buried beside her.

The couple were found on Wednesday July 8, after crashing their blue Renault Clio three days prior, on their way home from a camping trip.

On Sunday July 5, a member of the public reported the car at the bottom of an embankment next to the busy motorway at 11.30am.

But police did not follow up the call until it was reported for a second time.

Lamara was found drifting in and out of consciousness, but her partner John was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 25-year-old died in hospital four days later from her injuries.

On Facebook, Mr Bell wrote: “The service will be at 12.15pm in the crematorium hall, this will be a humanist service.

“The burial will be at 1pm, my sister will be getting buried next to my little cousin.

“There will be a piper and some doves let off at the graveside.”

He added: “Anyone who knew Lamara or is friends of myself or my family... or even if you just want to pay respects to my sister you are more than welcome.

“We have got small cards with a picture of Lamara and her fave saying “catch yi later”.

“This is for people to write a small message and lay in beside my sister.

“She hated flowers so we won’t be putting flowers in and please don’t bring any along,

“As I’ve said before my sister wasn’t one for formal dress wear so don’t feel you need to turn up in suits etc, if you want to make it bright and colourful feel free.

“I’m not wearing a suit either... but again no football colours at all ... And the last wish from my family is no alcohol at all even if it’s empty bottles decorated to lay at the grave.”

Lamara’s grieving family were the subject of more devastation this week after it emerged that police officers had left a voicemail on her mobile phone - ten days after she had died.

It is understood that the police were looking to trace one of Lamara’s family members, and called Lamara to see if she had seen them.

Mr Bell revealed that the family had only found out about the mistake when they were visited by a senior officer who came to apologise for the mix-up.

Police Scotland is already under investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner for its handling of the tragedy.

And a review of the way police handle calls has also been ordered and is being carried out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.