A police officer has been prohibited from driving and received a financial penalty after being found responsible for a serious high-speed crash in Perth city centre. The incident, which unfolded during a pursuit, resulted in considerable injuries to two individuals, one of whom was a fellow officer.
The events transpired on the afternoon of April 23, 2024, when Constable Scott Harvey and a colleague were on patrol in a marked police vehicle near Perth Prison. Their attention was drawn to a black Volkswagen Golf, prompting them to attempt a stop. Initially, the Golf paused near the Edinburgh Road junction, where PC Ryan Travis exited their vehicle to approach the occupants. However, the suspect car unexpectedly sped away, making a right turn onto Edinburgh Road and initiating a chase through Perth’s busy urban landscape.
During the pursuit, Constable Harvey’s vehicle reached speeds significantly exceeding 60 miles per hour, far above the 20 mph speed limit enforced in the densely populated sections of Perth city centre, including Princes Street. Driving at such extreme speeds in an area known for its pedestrian activity, numerous businesses, and residential properties posed an immense risk to public safety. The chase reached a critical point as it approached the bustling Canal Street junction on Princes Street, where traffic lights were illuminated red for oncoming vehicles.
Witnesses reported seeing the Volkswagen Golf mount the pavement to circumvent a stationary Openreach van, operated by engineer Alan Friel, before proceeding through the red light into Princes Street. Constable Harvey, attempting to maintain pursuit, applied his brakes and swerved to the right. Despite his actions, the police vehicle collided violently with the Openreach van, propelling it further into the junction. The police car then veered into the right-side pavement, coming to an abrupt and forceful stop against the curb. A radio transmission from Constable Harvey immediately after the impact confirmed the severity: “Crash, crash, crash.”
The aftermath of the collision was chaotic, requiring the swift response of emergency services. Firefighters were dispatched to extricate PC Ryan Travis, who was trapped in the passenger seat of the wrecked police vehicle. To free him, the roof of the police car had to be removed. PC Travis was found drifting in and out of consciousness, having sustained a severe head injury consistent with striking the windscreen, along with concussion, whiplash, and a suspected fractured coccyx. His recovery period was extensive, marked by persistent headaches and dizzy spells, eventually leading to a diagnosis of post-concussion syndrome with symptoms projected to last up to a year. The traumatic event also left him with memory gaps, with little recollection of the crash itself.
The driver of the Openreach van, Mr. Friel, was deeply shaken by the incident, also suffering from concussion and whiplash, which led to a month-long absence from his work. The profound physical and emotional toll on both victims underscores the inherent dangers involved in high-speed pursuits, particularly within confined urban environments.
An investigation into the police vehicle’s condition following the crash revealed no mechanical defects with the braking system, contradicting Constable Harvey’s initial claim that the brakes had malfunctioned. The black Volkswagen Golf that triggered the pursuit was subsequently discovered abandoned nearby. Appearing before Perth Sheriff Court, Scott Harvey admitted to a charge of causing serious injury through dangerous driving. Sheriff Wyllie Robertson imposed a fine of £320 and suspended his driving licence for a period of one year.
In response to the court’s decision, Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison, who leads Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department, issued a statement confirming that the matter would be further reviewed. “This matter will now be considered in terms of the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014,” she stated, indicating that additional internal disciplinary proceedings would follow the judicial outcome. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the significant responsibilities and potential consequences faced by those entrusted with upholding law and order on public highways.
The events transpired on the afternoon of April 23, 2024, when Constable Scott Harvey and a colleague were on patrol in a marked police vehicle near Perth Prison. Their attention was drawn to a black Volkswagen Golf, prompting them to attempt a stop. Initially, the Golf paused near the Edinburgh Road junction, where PC Ryan Travis exited their vehicle to approach the occupants. However, the suspect car unexpectedly sped away, making a right turn onto Edinburgh Road and initiating a chase through Perth’s busy urban landscape.
During the pursuit, Constable Harvey’s vehicle reached speeds significantly exceeding 60 miles per hour, far above the 20 mph speed limit enforced in the densely populated sections of Perth city centre, including Princes Street. Driving at such extreme speeds in an area known for its pedestrian activity, numerous businesses, and residential properties posed an immense risk to public safety. The chase reached a critical point as it approached the bustling Canal Street junction on Princes Street, where traffic lights were illuminated red for oncoming vehicles.
Witnesses reported seeing the Volkswagen Golf mount the pavement to circumvent a stationary Openreach van, operated by engineer Alan Friel, before proceeding through the red light into Princes Street. Constable Harvey, attempting to maintain pursuit, applied his brakes and swerved to the right. Despite his actions, the police vehicle collided violently with the Openreach van, propelling it further into the junction. The police car then veered into the right-side pavement, coming to an abrupt and forceful stop against the curb. A radio transmission from Constable Harvey immediately after the impact confirmed the severity: “Crash, crash, crash.”
The aftermath of the collision was chaotic, requiring the swift response of emergency services. Firefighters were dispatched to extricate PC Ryan Travis, who was trapped in the passenger seat of the wrecked police vehicle. To free him, the roof of the police car had to be removed. PC Travis was found drifting in and out of consciousness, having sustained a severe head injury consistent with striking the windscreen, along with concussion, whiplash, and a suspected fractured coccyx. His recovery period was extensive, marked by persistent headaches and dizzy spells, eventually leading to a diagnosis of post-concussion syndrome with symptoms projected to last up to a year. The traumatic event also left him with memory gaps, with little recollection of the crash itself.
The driver of the Openreach van, Mr. Friel, was deeply shaken by the incident, also suffering from concussion and whiplash, which led to a month-long absence from his work. The profound physical and emotional toll on both victims underscores the inherent dangers involved in high-speed pursuits, particularly within confined urban environments.
An investigation into the police vehicle’s condition following the crash revealed no mechanical defects with the braking system, contradicting Constable Harvey’s initial claim that the brakes had malfunctioned. The black Volkswagen Golf that triggered the pursuit was subsequently discovered abandoned nearby. Appearing before Perth Sheriff Court, Scott Harvey admitted to a charge of causing serious injury through dangerous driving. Sheriff Wyllie Robertson imposed a fine of £320 and suspended his driving licence for a period of one year.
In response to the court’s decision, Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison, who leads Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department, issued a statement confirming that the matter would be further reviewed. “This matter will now be considered in terms of the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014,” she stated, indicating that additional internal disciplinary proceedings would follow the judicial outcome. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the significant responsibilities and potential consequences faced by those entrusted with upholding law and order on public highways.