Ayrshire motorcyclist Darrel Sturgeon lay undiscovered for nine hours after crash despite phone alert

A motorcyclist found dead after his mobile phone pinged police following a crash in Ayrshire has been named.

Darrel Sturgeon was discovered more than nine hours after an automated message alerted nearby officers to the incident near the the Cloyntie Toll Bridge area of Straiton.

Emergency responders uncovered the 21-year-old’s red, white and blue Honda CBR600F motorcycle off the off the B741 at 7.35am on Thursday, November 9.

The alert system initially sent out a signal to officers at 10.18pm the previous night, Wednesday, November 8.

Despite a thorough search of the area, Mr Sturgeon’s body lay undiscovered until he was pronounced dead at the scene the following morning.

His next of kin have been made aware, a Police Scotland spokesperson said.

It is not believed any other vehicles were involved in the incident, but an appeal for further information has been launched.

A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Inspector Craig Beaver, from Ayrshire’s Road Policing Unit said: “Our enquiries into the circumstances of what happened are under way and our thoughts are with Darrel’s family and friends.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen a red, blue and white Honda CBR600F motorcycle in Crosshill, Maybole and Straiton areas.

“I’m also appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dash-cam footage to contact us as soon as possible, as you may have captured something that could assist our investigation.

“Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4082 of November 8, 2023.”