Bodies of crash victims who plunged into water ‘lay undiscovered overnight’

LOCALS claim the bodies of two men who died when their car ploughed into a river lay undiscovered overnight.

We told previously how the victims, aged 27 and 31, plummeted into the River Garry at Invergarry Bridge in the Highlands after their Red Ford Focus careered off the road.

The pair were believed to be cousins and were on a family holiday when the tragedy happened.

It is now understood the accident happened late on Thursday night, but the men were not discovered until yesterday morning.

One local told the Daily Mail: ‘Everyone is sleeping around 11pm and the roads are so quiet, so no one knew until this morning.

“It’s such a shame.”

Emergency crews raced to the scene off the A87 road on Friday, launching a major rescue operation.

Several ambulances, fire engines, and police vehicles were all scrambled to the area but the men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Two coastguard teams were called to the scene as divers in the water attempted to recover the bodies.

It is understood the men had been staying in a holiday property around 12 miles from the scene of the crash near the Invergarry Hotel.

A local woman said: “There were four of us at work and when we heard what had happened we couldn’t believe it.

“It’s scary to think they were there all night. Poor things.”

Residents also told how relatives the victims, who are believed to have travelled from England, arrived to identify the bodies yesterday, before the car was winched out of the river.

Cops have launched a probe into the incident that locked down the A87 down for several hours.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Emergency services are in attendance after a vehicle left the road and entered the water off the A87, Invergarry.

“The A87 is currently closed at the junction with the A82. Diversions are place.

“Two men, aged 27 and 31, were pronounced dead at the scene.

“Their next of kin are aware and are being supported by police.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area commander Michael Humphreys said: “Operations control mobilised two appliances and two water rescue teams.

“Sadly two men were pronounced dead at the scene.”