Police hunt joyriders who crashed stolen car and fled scene

The incident happened just after 2am at the A921 in Burntisland on Tuesday morning, and involved a white Mercedes which has been stolen.

Witnesses said that there were two cars involved, with a dark coloured mini or similar vehicle racing away after the Mercedes crashed.

Resident George Lawson woke to find the wall near his house destroyed, but said that similar incidents had happened at the roundabout in the past.

"It’s not the first time it’s happened, it’s about four times in 12 years.

"We’ve asked to get speed bumps or something done to help, because someone’s going to get hurt one of these days. It’s just lucky that this happened through the night because the debris from the wall went right into my neighbour’s garden and was practically at their front door – that’s how hard it was hit.”

One witness, who did not wish to be named, said he was woken shortly after 2am by a loud bang.

"I heard the screech and the bang. I looked out and I could see the crashed car. But then there was a dark grey small car next to it. I could hear someone talking then it wheelspun away from the crash. They appeared to be something to do with it.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries are underway following the report of a one vehicle road traffic crash in Collinswell Drive in Burntisland in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 11 August, 2020.

"Around 2.13am a white Mercedes car collided with a wall in Collinswell Drive, at the junction with Aberdour Road.

"Police Scotland can confirm that the crashed Mercedes car has been the subject of a theft report.

"On arrival at the crash scene there was nobody in the Mercedes car or at the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing relating to a report that a second car was at the scene shortly after the crash.

"Anyone who may have been in the area of Collinswell Drive around this time is asked to call police on the 101 number if they witnessed this crash, or have any information which might assist officers who are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

"There are no reports of anyone being injured at this time.

"Callers should quote the reference number 0300 of 11 August 2020."

Burntisland Councillor Gordon Langlands said: “There have been a few incidents near that roundabout, but this one was slightly different.

"I’m arranging a meeting with the council’s transportation department to see what can be done to make the area safer.”