TWO children were found dead in a parked car on the outskirts of Glasgow last night in an incident described by police as suspicious.
The boys, aged two and six and believed to be brothers, were found inside the vehicle, which was parked in a quiet country lane in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire.
It is understood an adult male – thought to be the boys' father – was found alive at the scene and taken to hospital, where he was detained.
Although police refused officially to say anything other than they were following a "positive line of inquiry", sources indicated one theory was the children died as part of a suicide bid. It is understood the children were with their father, who is separated from their mother and had weekend access.
The bodies were discovered in the village's quiet and predominantly rural Crow Road, around the corner from Campsie Golf Club, a spot which gives spectacular views of Campsie Glen and is popular with cyclists and ramblers.
Inspector Jan Connolly, of Strathclyde Police, confirmed: "We are investigating the suspicious death of two children aged two and six years old. They were found this evening within a parked car. Police are following a positive line of inquiry."
One source claimed last night the children had been killed by carbon monoxide poisoning. One local suggested there was also an attempt to set the car on fire which was not successful.
It is understood the tragedy was discovered by a group of youngsters who happened to be passing. Paramedics raced to the scene, but it was too late to save the boys' lives. The man was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
The B822 Crow Road was cordoned off for about half a mile around the incident, and closed to all traffic heading north out of Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire.
Frank De Goey, who lives in the area, said: "It was about 5.15pm when we suddenly saw police, fire engines, CID and ambulances charging up Crow Road. We've heard somebody tried to commit suicide. It's absolutely shocking."
A worker at Campsie Golf Club said the area was known as an accident blackspot, but it soon became apparent this was not another car accident.
He said: "Two ambulances arrived but only one went past with the flashing blue lights, and then there was a helicopter overhead. The news started to filter back to us. It has got us all in a state of shock."
A woman in Crow Road, who did not want to be named, said: "There have been suicides up there before – it's a secluded spot. We noticed just after 5pm that police were speeding up there. We could not believe it when we heard."
David Whitton, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, said: "Obviously we don't know exactly what has happened here, but I am really shocked to hear about it. It is a terrible tragedy for two young children to lose their lives in these circumstances.
"Like everyone else, I will want to know how this tragedy happened, but we'll have to wait for the outcome of the police investigation. In the meantime, my condolences go out to the family or families involved."
The full article contains 536 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
