The tragic death of seven-year-old Danny Leech in a traffic accident in Dundee, Scotland, in 1989 has been reopened by police after over 35 years, following new information brought forward by the Leech family. Danny was struck by a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) while walking to a carnival with his teenage cousin. The initial police investigation concluded without charges against the driver, Colin Nicoll, who reportedly left the scene just 30 minutes after the incident. The family’s pursuit of a civil case in 1992 was hampered by a late-appearing police statement suggesting Danny ran into the lorry’s path, a claim the family disputes. This statement effectively derailed the civil case, leaving the family with lingering questions and a profound sense of injustice.
Danny’s brother, John Leech, unsatisfied with the original investigation and two subsequent internal police reviews that found no wrongdoing, took matters into his own hands. In 2023, he erected billboards in Dundee, appealing to the public for any information related to his brother’s death. This proactive approach, driven by a desire for truth and closure, has seemingly yielded results. The billboards generated renewed interest in the case and ultimately led to new information being presented to Police Scotland.
The newly received information prompted Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit to launch a comprehensive review of the 1989 case. This renewed investigation involves revisiting the accident scene, reconstructing the incident, and re-interviewing previous witnesses. The police are also actively appealing to the public for any additional information that may have been overlooked or withheld during the original investigation. This comprehensive approach underscores the police’s commitment to thoroughly examining all aspects of the case, considering the family’s concerns, and potentially uncovering new details that could shed light on the tragic event.
Inspector Roy McCarney, leading the review, emphasizes the importance of any new information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. He acknowledges the profound impact Danny’s death has had on the Leech family over the past three and a half decades and understands their desire for a more complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The police are maintaining regular communication with the family, providing updates on the progress of the review and ensuring they are kept informed throughout the process.
The Leech family’s unwavering pursuit of justice for Danny has finally resulted in a renewed investigation. Their hope is that after 35 years, someone with previously undisclosed information will come forward, finally providing the missing pieces of the puzzle. This new information, no matter how small, could be crucial in enabling the authorities to reach a definitive conclusion, providing the family with long-awaited closure and ensuring justice for Danny. Their plea to the public reflects their enduring hope that the truth will finally prevail.
The reopening of this decades-old case underscores the importance of persistence in seeking justice and the potential for new information to emerge even after a significant passage of time. The Leech family’s determination serves as a testament to the power of familial love and the enduring pursuit of truth, offering a glimmer of hope that justice, though delayed, may ultimately be served. The police are urging anyone with any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to contact them, offering a chance for closure not just for the Leech family, but also for a community that has carried this unsolved tragedy for over 35 years.
