Biker lay dead 9 hours undiscovered despite police being alerted to fatal crash

12 November 2023 , 17:42

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Darrel Sturgeon, 21, lay dead for nine hours before police found him (Image: Police Scotland)

A young biker was tragically found dead nine hours after the police were alerted he had been involved in a serious crash.

Darrel Sturgeon lay undiscovered through the night after police were first alerted by an automated message from a mobile phone that a crash had taken place at the Cloyntie Toll Bridge area of Straiton in Ayrshire, Scotland. Police rushed to the scene at 10.18pm on Wednesday (November 8). Despite a thorough search of the area, they were unable to find the 21-year-old biker.

The next morning, around 7.35am, officers investigating the crash received further information and discovered a red, blue and white Honda CBR600F motorcycle off the B741 near Straiton. Tragically, Darrel was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed. A major investigation into the crash has been launched by Ayrshire Road Policing Unit who are appealing for witnesses. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal, reports the Daily Record.

Tributes have been pouring in for Darrel. His former RAF Cadet Squadron in Girvan paid their respects with a post on their Facebook page: "Sad news today that ex 1371 Sqn cadet Darrel Sturgeon was killed in a motorbike accident near Straiton on Wednesday." They added: "Only 21, so young, our hearts go out to his family."

Inspector Craig Beaver, from Ayrshire Road Policing Unit, said: "Our enquiries into the circumstances of what happened are underway and our thoughts are with Darrel's family and friends. I would appeal to anyone who may have seen a red, blue and white Honda CBR600F motorcycle in Crosshill, Maybole and Straiton areas."

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"I'm also appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dash-cam footage to contact us as soon as possible, as you may have captured something that could assist our investigation. Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4082 of 8 November 2023."

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Ryan Thom