Families 'have to live with loss'

Emergency services were "shocked by the devastation" Jail for death crash trio

Police have appealed to young drivers to be aware of the risks of the road after three men were jailed following a triple fatal crash near Dumfries.

The motorists were sentenced to almost 20 years between them at the High Court in Glasgow for their part in the accident on the A75 in November 2006.

It has prompted the police to highlight the dangers facing young male drivers.

A spokesman warned that a "moment of madness" could lead to "lifelong consequences" for everyone involved.

Graham Lynn, 21, and Stuart Logue, 19, were jailed for 10 years and two months, and eight years, respectively, on charges of causing death by dangerous driving on the stretch of road known as the Glen.

As a parent I can't think of anything worse than being told your child has died, particularly when they die needlessly as in this case Sgt Scott McLachlan Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

Shaun Marshall, 18, was jailed for 13 months on a charge of dangerous driving.

Sgt Scott McLachlan, of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary's road policing unit, said the crash highlighted wider concerns.

"Nationally, it is accepted that drivers under the age of 25 are a vulnerable group in terms of road safety," he said.

"Young men in particular pose the greatest risk because they are prepared to take greater risks and don't think about the consequences of their actions.

"The crash on the Glen is a classic example of this."

He said the young drivers had to live with the fact that three people had died and one was still receiving treatment "because of their stupidity".

Crash scene

"They now have to face lengthy jail sentences, and they have also put their own families through the emotional ordeal of this case, and now that they are going to prison the ordeal will continue," he said.

"The families of those killed have to live with the loss of their loved ones everyday.

"As a parent I can't think of anything worse than being told your child has died, particularly when they die needlessly as in this case."

Sgt McLachlan added that the people who saw the crash scene - including emergency services - had been "shocked by the devastation".

"All drivers, but particularly young drivers, need to realise a few moments of madness can lead to lifelong consequences for them, their families, friends and many others," he said.