Tearful mourners gathered today for a final farewell to a father-of-four who died in a car crash police failed to investigate for three days.
John Alexander Yuill, 28, is believed to have died on impact as the car he was travelling in with his girlfriend Lamara Bell, 25, left the M9 near Stirling.
It emerged after the crash that it had been reported to police by a member of the public, but officers only attended the scene after receiving a second call from a different person.
Lamara died in hospital from injuries that included broken bones and kidney damage caused by dehydration.
The case is now the subject of an independent investigation, sparking a review into the way the police handle calls in their control centres.
More than 90 people attended the funeral at St Francis Xavier’s Church in John’s hometown of Falkirk.
Many gathered outside the church before entering where a picture of John in a green and white Celtic shirt stood on an easel and the bible sat on the coffin.
The service was conducted by Father Jamie Boyle who described John’s death as a “real tragedy”.
A hymn was said before a reading, A letter from St Paul to the Romans, was read aloud.
John was the oldest of seven children and was born to Gordon Yuill and Jackie Forsyth in 1986.
Dollard, who brought John up from the age of two described John as “Celtic daft” with an obsession for cars.
She said: “What can I say about John? Let me start with: in his 28 years he packed in more than some 80/90 year olds.
“John was born to Gordon and Jackie in 1986. I first met him when he was two. He came to live with myself and Gordon in 1989.
“He was a live wire who talked constantly and slept little — that never changed — who opened the fridge and took a bite of everything.
“John has two obsessions in life — cars and death. He could tell you what car it was by the tail lights.
“He was always talking about ghosts and what did we all think it felt like to be dead — well I hope you finally know the answer son.
“John was the oldest of seven children, big brother to Jennifer, Claire, Daniel, Kara, Gordon and Michael.
“He liked being the oldest and always told them all, ‘I’m the boss cause I’m the biggest’ and boy did John love to be the boss.
“He loved many people, both sets of grandparents but in particular his ‘Granda Dollard’ whom he admired greatly.
“He looked up to big Claire who was his friend and role model and indeed all the McCluskeys with whom he spent loads of time, and first introduced himself as ‘Pesty’, and his weekends with them all at Loch Lomond which he never forgot.
“John was always found with a ball at his feet, a great little football player though it cost him a few punishment essays, for breaking the assembly hall window and latterly his wrist retrieving his ball from the school roof.
“He was Celtic-daft saying the loves of his life were Celtic football club, his kids, his family and then his girlfriends.
“John was a happy child and a fantastic help with all his brothers and sisters, he thought nothing of changing nappies and feeding bottles, he loved to cook and was always in the kitchen watching and learning, which stood him in good stead later on.
“John was a beautiful boy with huge brown eyes that were hard to resist. He was always making puppet shows for his siblings to amuse them and when Gordon Jr was born, and he cried for three-and-a-half years, no no joke.
“John would come in from school make me a coffee, take Gordon and say ‘okay mum 20 minute break’.
“He loved his siblings which clearly continued on to his children, Alysha, Jamie, Ryan and Nicole whom he adored.”
John’s helpfulness won him an award in his fourth year at school as he helped out with the children’s liturgy every Sunday.
Anita told how John had various jobs, but his favourite was his last job recycling caravans with his dad and friends Neil and Paul Mooney who he grew up with.
She went to tell a story about John and his friend Paul on a trip to Linlithgow Loch.
She said: “His claim to fame made the news headline of a ‘man in the loch’ after this pair tried to take the boats out in Linlithgow Loch at night, drunk.
“Unfortunately the jetty ran out and John kept walking into the water but couldn’t swim, broke his leg and all three emergency services were called to get him out.”
She continued: “John Yuill you were an amazing child, a great gift to us, a great brother and a friend to many people, a cheeky chap, a lovable rogue.
“Having you in our lives has been an honour and a pleasure. So proud that we were your mum and dad. Goodnight and Godbless. Love you always son.”
John’s previous girlfriends Kim and Dani were mothers to his children Jamie, Ryan and Nicole.died when his Renault Clio came off the M9 in Stirlingshire on July 5.
His partner, Lamara, lay critically injured for around 72 hours after officers failed to follow up a report on the accident.
The young mum to their daughter, Alysha, died in hospital a few days later as an independent investigation into the police error continues.
Father Jamie Doyle said: “Aged just 28 and with so much of life ahead of him, John’s death is a real tragedy — especially for his family and friends.
“Death is never easy to understand or accept – Parents are not meant to have to bury their children. It should be the other way around.”
He added: “As we pray for John today, we ask that his faith will be rewarded and that he will be raised up in the resurrection to eternal life.”
Another hymn and then a communion hymn were read before the song, Anthem to the Blessed Virgin, was sung.
The service ended with a recessional hymn.
John’s coffin was carried out of the church by friends and family and many were seen crying and embracing others with tissues in hand.
Floral tributes were placed in the car with the coffin.
John’s father, Gordon said: “Today, we lay our beloved son, John Yuill, to rest after his tragic accident on 5th July 2015, which also claimed the life of his girlfriend Lamara Bell.
“We would like to say thanks for all the support we have received from friends, family and the community.”
A statement on behalf of the Bell family, addressed to John and his family, said: “With our deepest sympathy. For those we’ve loved and lost. We can never be more than a thought apart.
“For as long as they live in our memory they live on in our hearts.
“May friends comfort you, faith uphold you and loving memories heal your heart.”
