Daviot car fire death probe dropped by Scottish Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) after tragedy south of Inverness

Independent investigators have dropped a probe into a driver’s death in a car fire after a crash near Daviot.

The accident south of Inverness, six months ago, saw the car leave the road and burst into flames after landing in a ditch.

Police, firefighters and paramedics were scrambled to the scene on the B851 near Littlemill shortly after 11.20 am on October 2 last year.

Soon after, Police Scotland referred itself to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) for investigation.

Pirc, an independent police watchdog body, has now confirmed it could find no basis to investigate the circumstances in more depth.

The body’s remit is to ensure public confidence in policing in Scotland by scrutinising Police Scotland’s conduct and ethics.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Pirc said: “On October 2, 2024, the Pirc received a referral from Police Scotland regarding an incident that occurred in the Daviot area.

“Following a detailed assessment of the circumstances, Pirc concluded not to investigate the circumstances further.”

Even before the tragic death was confirmed, the gravity of the incident was apparent in the fact the road, which links to the A9, remained closed for over 30 hours as forensic teams in and around the burnt-out vehicle.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “An investigation was carried out after the death of the driver of a vehicle which left the carriageway of the B851 near Inverness shortly after 11.20 am on Wednesday, 2 October, 2024.

“There were no suspicious circumstances and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

“The circumstances were subject to a referral to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and we acknowledge their decision.”