Declan Connell: Police pursuit death crash driver named

A 27-year-old man who died after his car crashed following a police pursuit on the M9 motorway in Stirling has been named.

Declan Connell, 27, was driving a white Vauxhall Corsa south, between junctions 8 and 9, when the incident happened at about 11:50 on Sunday.

Police Scotland said the car, which went down an embankment, had been involved in a pursuit by officers beforehand in the Stirling area.

Emergency services attended but Mr Connell, from Falkirk, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two male passengers in the car, aged 19 and 20, were taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital to be checked over.

Officers said the circumstances surrounding the collision had been referred to the force’s watchdog, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

Ch Insp Mark Patterson said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

“We are appealing for any witnesses, particularly motorists with dash-cam footage, to please get in touch.”