Man dies after Rangers fans’ coach tragedy

A FOOTBALL fan has died after a bus carrying Rangers supporters tipped over in a crash.

Eighteen passengers were taken to hospital following the accident in East Ayrshire yesterday afternoon.

Two others were last night described as being in a “serious” condition.

In total, 37 people were on board including the driver as the coach made its way to Ibrox for Rangers’ match against Partick Thistle.

The crash happened at about 1.15pm on the A76 by the Crossroads roundabout, near Kilmarnock.

Witnesses said the bus, carrying supporters from the Nith Valley Loyal Rangers group in Sanquhar, “swerved” before landing on its side on a grass verge.

A woman, who didn’t want to be named, relived for The Sunday Post the moment the coach toppled over.

The woman, who injured her leg and shoulder in the crash, said: “The bus swerved and then it tipped on its side sending us flying.

“There were people shouting.

“When it landed on its side on the banking, a man started to kick the window for it to break and get everyone out of the bus.

“When we got out on to the roadside we realised one man was missing but we couldn’t get to him because he was trapped at the back of the bus.

Bus crash in Ayrshire (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)

“Another woman had sustained a head injury and was temporarily unconscious, but regained it a little later.

“I saw blood on my leg and then realised her leg was cut and I had a glass shard lodged in there from climbing out of the window.

“A young boy was cut out of the bus by the paramedics.

“Everyone was treated for shock and then taken to hospital for further treatment.

“It’s a tragedy that someone has died.”

Last night, tributes began flooding in for the dead fan.

Rangers assistant manager David Weir said: “There are things more important than football.

“Our thoughts are with the people involved, the families involved and I’m sure the club will be very supportive in regards to anything they can do to help the situation.”

Rangers midfielder Joey Barton tweeted: “Thoughts are with the Rangers fans involved in the bus crash today. Wish them all a speedy recovery.”

Former Hibs player Tam McManus, now a football pundit, tweeted: “Hope all the Rangers fans injured on the supporters bus on way to the match today are ok.”

Meanwhile, fans from other clubs also took to social media to offer their condolences.

One wrote: “No one should go to watch any game and not return home.”

The supporters’ club did not post an update on social media last night, but had posted the arrangements for yesterday’s coach journey earlier in the week.

It made three stops picking up passengers in Thornhill at 11.50am, Sanquhar at 12.15pm and Kirkconnel at 12.20pm before the crash.

At the accident site in Ayrshire, a screen was erected around part of the damaged coach.

A Police Scotland statement said: “Emergency services attended and 18 people have been taken to hospital.

“The road was closed in both directions last night and crash scene investigators were at the scene.”