A man lay in his crashed car for two days after police 'couldn't find the vehicle' despite a 999 call.
John Winton McNab, was found on the remote A887 road near Invermoriston, Inverness-shire.
Police officers were sent to the area that was the source of the call, but couldn’t locate Mr McNab's grey Mercedes.
They found it 48 hours later on Sunday but the pensioner had already died mirroring the tragedies of Lamara Bell and John Yuill, who were not discovered for days despite alerts to police.
The Daily Record reports Mr McNab's death is now being investigated by watchdog the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
The body will report its findings to the Crown Office following was reports he had gone missing from Perth at about noon on September 16.
It is understood his car sent the SOS call two days after the alarm was raised over his disappearance.
A source said: “When the car crashed, it automatically dialled 999 as per the technology that has been installed since 2017 in all new cars.
“Despite officers searching, it took three days for the car to be located, by which point the gentleman had passed away.”
John’s family said: “We would like to thank everyone involved in the search to trace Winton, these efforts are greatly appreciated by the family.”
In 2015, Lamara and partner John died after lying for three days in their vehicle.
But police failed to respond to a call and told them the couple's car had gone down an embankment from the M9 and crashed.
Lamara’s son Kieran’s grandad, James McMillan said: “This sounds like a terrible tragedy for another family which of course brings back dreadful memories for us. I’m staggered by the similarities.
“Obviously, however, we do not know the circumstances surrounding this incident and I hope a full and frank investigation is being carried out while the family are being supported.”
After the discovery of Mr McNab's body, the road was closed for more than five hours, while an investigation was carried out at the crash site.
Sergeant David Miller of the Highland and Islands Road Policing Unit said: “Our inquiries into the circumstances of what happened are under way and our thoughts are with John’s family and friends.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen John’s grey Mercedes B class between Friday, September 16, and Sunday, September 18, to contact police.”
A spokeswoman for police watchdog PIRC said: “We are investigating the circumstances around the death of a 86-year-old man near Inverness under the instruction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
A spokesman for Police Scotland added: “The matter has been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.”
