A driver responsible for a tragic head-on crash that claimed the lives of a husband and wife in Argyll has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison. George Murphy, 55, admitted causing the deaths of Martin and Josephine Cousland, from Anstruther in Fife, due to dangerous driving. The fatal collision occurred in March 2023, when Murphy’s Ford Mondeo, while attempting to overtake multiple vehicles, collided with the Couslands’ Audi Q2 on the A85 near Dalmally.
The Incident
The crash unfolded on the A85 trunk road, six miles from Tyndrum, as the Couslands were embarking on a holiday. Mrs. Josephine Cousland, 69, was driving, with her husband Martin, 70, as the passenger. The couple had planned to meet their daughters in Oban before continuing their trip to the Isle of Mull. Tragically, the couple lost their lives when Murphy, driving in the opposite direction, overtook a bus despite having limited visibility due to an approaching blind summit and bend in the road.
Murphy’s Actions and Impact
Murphy, a resident of Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, was also carrying his two sons as passengers. While he managed to survive the crash, his sons sustained severe injuries. His son Alexander, 25, suffered a spinal injury, while 21-year-old Liam endured multiple fractures to his hip. The court heard Murphy’s history of road traffic offenses and his guilty plea to charges of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.
Judge Lord Arthurson expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of the Couslands, describing them as “vigorous and extremely popular” individuals. He stated that Murphy’s reckless actions “robbed them and their loved ones of a future together.” Murphy was also banned from driving for life. Despite pleading guilty, Lord Arthurson reduced his sentence from 11 years to seven-and-a-half years.
The Devastating Impact on the Family
The Couslands’ daughters, Penelope and Zoe, have expressed profound grief over the loss of their parents. In a statement, they described their parents as “fun, loving, and kind” individuals, whose sudden deaths have left a deep void. They also expressed their frustration with the legal process, stating that they had been denied crucial information about the crash until the plea hearing in November.
They urged lawmakers to consider changes in legislation to better support grieving families and victims of road traffic offenses. The sisters stressed that while no sentence could bring back their parents, they hope for better care for those who have suffered due to senseless crimes on the road.
