
Man vanishes after Scots car crash as missing person probe launched
Police are appealing to the public for help tracing a missing man who vanished after a car crash.
Paul Smith vanished after a crash near to a hotel in the early hours of this morning.
He was last seen at around 1am, following a smash involving a Volkswage Tiguan car.
And officers say they wish to trace the 43-year-old to make sure he is safe and well.
He was wearing a black jumper and black tracksuit trousers when he was last seen.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The force said he has brown hair, is of medium build, and is around 5ft 10ins tall.
A post on the Police Scotland Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Facebook page contained a picture of Paiul.
It said: "Officers are asking for the help of the public to trace a 43-year-old man missing from the Langbank area of Renfrewshire.
"Paul Smith was last seen around 1am on Saturday, 16 August, following a crash involving a Volkswagen Tiguan car on the B780, Old Greenock Road, near the Gleddoch Hotel.
"He is described as around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, with brown hair. When last seen he was wearing black jumper and black tracksuit bottoms."
Inspector Megan Logan said: "Extensive enquiries and searches are being carried out to trace Paul as we need to make sure he is safe and well. He may have been injured in the crash and it is vital that he gets in touch with us or his family.
"We are asking anyone who has seen Paul or knows where he might be to call us. If Paul hears about this appeal then please let us know you are safe and well."
If you can help please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0247 of Saturday, 16 August, 2025.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Nicola Sturgeon's memoir cut to half price within hours of release
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: The former FM's memoirs were being flogged for £14 while some signed copies were going for triple the RRP. Online sellers were flogging copies of Nicola Sturgeon 's book for half price less than 24 hours after its release. Amazon was among those selling 'Frankly' for just £14 on Friday, the day after the former First Minister launched the memoir. Last night the book had reached number one in Amazon's women's biography category and it was the eighth best selling overall. Profiteering book merchants were also trying to flog signed copies for nearly three times the £28 RRP. First edition signed copies of Frankly are listed on Ebay for up to £69.99. It comes after Waterstones decided to start selling the book days before it was supposed to be released, stating there had been no sales embargo. Sturgeon fans flocked to stores in Glasgow to grab a copy on Monday - three days before it's official August 14 release date. Political rivals and critics have blasted elements of the book, accusing Sturgeon of writing an inaccurate account of events such as the scandal involving sexual harassment complaints against Alex Salmond, and her Gender Recognition Reform policy. Among those most critical include Salmond allies Alex Neil and Kenny MacAskill, and Scottish Labour deputy Jackie Baillie. Positive reviews have come from celebrities, politicians and authors including Alan Cumming, Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson, writer Douglas Stuart and former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Online the work has had a mixed reception, receiving either one star or five star reviews on Amazon. The former First Minister has said she would like to write a work of fiction after publishing her autobiography, and previously joked it could be a political thriller with a "murder on every page".


Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
Man arrested during demonstrations outside hotel used to house asylum seekers in Falkirk
Officers from Police Scotland confirmed a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with an alleged breach of a cordon line. A man has been arrested during demonstrations outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Falkirk. Officers from Police Scotland confirmed a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with an alleged breach of a cordon line at Kemper Avenue on Saturday, August 16. The arrest took place while a protest against a hotel housing asylum seekers and anti-racism counter protesters was taking place in the town. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and residents said they organised the counter demonstration on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town. It comes after the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel, with police keeping them separate. Demonstrators held placards with messages such as 'stop the far right', 'refugees welcome' and 'migrants make our NHS'. On the opposite side of the road protesters held signs with messages such as 'go home', 'enough is enough' and 'we want our country back'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Kemper Avenue in Falkirk has reopened following protest activity which began around 11am on Saturday, 16 August, 2025. "A proportionate policing plan was in place to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the local community. A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a breach of the cordon line. "Motorists are thanked for their patience."


Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
Woman caught performing sex act in doorway sentenced for outraging public decency
Sarah Crawford, 40, was given a suspended prison sentence. A woman who was caught performing a sex act with another woman in a shop doorway and went on to assault a police officer in another incident has dodged jail. Sarah Crawford was heavily intoxicated after attending an all-night party when she was involved in a "sex act" with Rosalind Fitzgerald near a store on York Road, in Birtley. A court heard that the pair took part in the sex act at 8.45am and in full view of members of the public. Children were also said to be in the area, reports the Chronicle. Crawford was again in trouble with the police in June following an outburst in Durham city centre. The 40-year-old assaulted a police officer after throwing items of shop stock in the street. When she was taken to a police cell, she "defecated" inside it, causing damage. Newcastle Magistrates' Court previously heard that on December 11 last year, police received reports that Crawford and Fitzgerald were "engaging in sexual activity" in Birtley. Chike Anieto, prosecuting, said: "Children were present in the area. A witness says it was the other party and the defendant performing a sex act. "The defendant then proceeded to urinate. Following this incident police attended and arrested the defendant. There were extensive calls to police by other members of the public about what was going on in the area." At a hearing in May, Fitzgerald was given a 12-month community order and fined £120 for her involvement in the bizarre incident. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. On Friday, Crawford, of no fixed address, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for outraging public decency, a public order offence, criminal damage, and assaulting a police officer. She had pleaded guilty to the offences. She was sentenced to four months prison, suspended for 12 months. She was also given 25 rehabilitation activity days, which must be completed in six months. She was also fined and ordered to pay compensation. Crawford previously told magistrates that she no longer wants to drink alcohol, saying: "I no longer want that life anymore". She was said to be "embarrassed and sorry" for her offending.