THE driver of a stolen car that caused a “harrowing” fatal crash is being hunted by police.
Three cars were directly involved in the collision, which happened near the Maybury roundabout in Edinburgh, at about 12.30am on Friday.
It occurred after a grey Audi A3 was speeding between the Barnton area towards the Maybury Roundabout and was seen to drive along the chevron area to overtake a number of vehicles.
As the Audi approached the roundabout, it headed into the opposing carriageway, causing a BMW to swerve and collide with a Peugeot 206 travelling in the opposite direction.
Following the collision, the Peugeot 206 caught fire. After the blaze was put out, the sole occupant of the vehicle was found dead inside.
Three people in a BMW car, including a five-year-old girl, have been taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment after being injured in the crash.
Police Scotland said they are looking to trace the occupants of a stolen Audi A3 which was being driven in a “dangerous and reckless” manner and ultimately caused the incident.
The Audi fled the area and was found by police in Cowdenbeath, Fife, less than four hours later.
Police said it had been stolen from the Liberton area of Edinburgh more than a month ago, on April 17.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Those within this vehicle have then failed to stop and it appears they have thereafter travelled into Fife.
“We have dedicated significant resources to this inquiry and while we have now recovered the Audi, the driver and anyone else within the car are yet to be traced."
Police leading the manhunt also want to trace the occupants of a silver hatchback car, which is thought to have been travelling in convoy with the Audi and is believed to have headed to Fife.
Officers shut the road following the crash and it remained closed into Friday afternoon.
Chief Inspector David Happs, local area commander for north west Edinburgh, said: “We recognise the impact this incident has had on the local community, not only in relation to the traffic issues, but due to the harrowing nature in which a person has died.
“While road policing officers and CID conduct their respective investigations, local resources will be conducting door-to-door enquiries within the Barnton and East Craigs areas to speak with the public and hopefully gather information of use to the inquiry.”
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