17-year-old girl dies in Bathgate crash; Police watchdog investigates fatal West Lothian incident

A 17-year-old girl has tragically died after a violent crash between a car and a lorry in West Lothian late on Monday night. The devastating incident unfolded at Boghead Roundabout in Bathgate, plunging families into grief and triggering a major investigation.

Emergency services rushed to the scene around 11.50pm following reports of a serious collision involving a Volkswagen Polo and an HGV. Despite their swift response, paramedics were unable to save the teenage passenger, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash also left two other people with severe injuries. The 20-year-old male driver of the Polo and an 18-year-old female passenger were transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where they remain in serious condition. Authorities have informed the deceased’s next of kin, and formal identification has taken place.

Due to the severity of the incident, the case has been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), which oversees cases involving potential police involvement or oversight.

Inspector Ben Legge from the Road Policing Unit confirmed that investigations remain ongoing to establish exactly what led to the fatal collision. “Enquiries are continuing to understand the full circumstances of what happened,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young girl who died.”

Inspector Legge also appealed directly to the public for assistance. “I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or who may have dash-cam footage, and has not yet spoken to or provided this information to officers, to contact us as soon as possible.”

The road remained closed for over 16 hours while collision investigators worked meticulously to examine the scene. Boghead Roundabout eventually reopened at around 4pm on Tuesday. Inspector Legge expressed his gratitude to locals for their patience: “I would like to thank members of the public for their patience while we carried our investigation at the scene.”

The incident has prompted a formal referral to the PIRC, who will review the circumstances to ensure full transparency. Raymond Brown, Head of Investigations at PIRC, extended condolences to the grieving family. “PIRC has received a referral from Police Scotland in relation to a fatal road traffic incident which took place on Monday, June 9 in Bathgate,” Brown stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and all of those who have been affected.”

As the investigation intensifies, police continue to appeal for any witnesses or drivers with dash-cam footage that may provide vital clues. Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3775 of Monday, June 9, 2025.

The crash has left the tight-knit West Lothian community in shock as friends and family mourn the sudden loss of a young life. Tributes are expected to pour in over the coming days as locals try to come to terms with the tragedy.

Authorities have not yet disclosed whether weather, driver error, or mechanical failure played a role in the collision. For now, investigators remain focused on piecing together the chain of events that led to the deadly crash.