A music therapist who survived a horror crash on the way to a festival returned to the vehicle to find that all her belongings had been stolen.
Melissa Bradd crashed her Skoda on the A760 near the RSPB Centre at Lochwinnoch on the afternoon of Friday, June 30 when she was travelling to Kelburn Garden Party in Fairlie, North Ayrshire, with a friend.
The pair climbed out of the upturned car, which had skidded off the road, rolled into a burn and collided with a tree.
They came out relatively unscathed and were still able to attend the festival. The emergency services gave them the keys to the vehicle, which she believed was secured.
However, when they came back to the wreckage three days later, they discovered that personal belongings from within had been taken.
Multiple instruments were stolen – including a ukulele that Ms Bradd, 41, had owned for 10 years. Also among the stolen items were a large gong, drums, finger piano, sleeping bags and a tent.
Her laptop, which contains all her university coursework for her music and environment masters degree, musical compositions and cherished family photographs were also taken.
She estimates the value of all the goods taken to be around £6,000.
Melissa told the Express: “I am in disbelief that someone has taken our belongings.
“The instruments have brought so much joy to people over the years and I am saddened to know the pictures, videos, songs and creative life is lost to a stranger.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said they had received a report on July 3 of “several items” stolen from a car, following a crash on the A760.
They added that the theft was thought to have happened at some time between 5.40pm on Friday, June 30 and 2.40pm on Monday, July 3.
A fundraiser has been launched by Rachel Gwilym to help Melissa with the cost of replacing the items. The fundraiser had generated £1,162 as of yesterday afternoon.
Melissa said: “I would like to say that [my friend] Emily and I are grateful for the kindness of people in support since the accident.”
She was keen to stress to other motorists travelling along the A760 to be careful, saying: “With regards to the incident, other cars came off the same road that evening.
“With the diesel and such building up from the dry to wet spell, it’s an ongoing risk in that area. It would be good to see some efforts to minimise this for potential future accidents.”
To access the fundraiser, click here.
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