BLOWN OFF THE ROAD
Cancer survivor Ross, 59, dies after minibus is toppled by gust of wind
A GUST of wind has been blamed for a minibus crash that killed one and injured 23 others.
Cancer survivor Ross Barker, 59, died when the vehicle was blown off the road as he and his pals travelled to a day at the races.
FAMILY and friends are mourning a cancer survivor who was killed in a minibus crash on the way to a day at the races.
It’s thought Ross Barker, 59, who died in the carnage in the Borders, had only agreed to go on on the trip at the last minute.
The other 23 people on the bus were hurt – six of them seriously – when the vehicle was blown off the road and overturned.
In 2009, Ross, of Port Seton, East Lothian, backed a campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer after beating the disease.
As family and friends comforted his wife Pauline and daughter Justine Teresa yesterday, tributes were paid on social media.
Ross’s niece Amie Tiffney, wife of Scots boxer Stephen Tiffney, said: “Life is so unfair. Absolutely devastating. RIP Rosco.”
The bus was blown off the A6089 between Carfraemill and Gordon in Berwickshire at 10.50am on Saturday, shortly after picking up the bulk of the 23 passengers at the Dean Tavern in Newtongrange, Midlothian.
The passengers – all men – were on the way to the Festive Fling race meeting in Kelso.
As the investigation into the crash continued, it emerged that driver Ian Roxburgh had
desperately tried to keep the 33-seater Mercedes minibus upright and on the road in strong winds.
A Newtongrange resident, who knew many of those on the trip, said: “It could have been much worse if the bus had been packed full. But many called off because of the football derbies in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“The bus was organised by Alan Urquhart, the owner of ABC Minicoach Hire, to take his mates to the races. Alan and his dad were on the bus. The guy who died decided at the last minute to go.
“The section of the road where the tragedy happened is known as a bit of a wind tunnel where you can get buffeted by strong gusts.
“I’m told that as they came over the hill, they were caught by a gust of wind. The bus went out of control and Ian, the driver, managed to right it again. But the next minute, another gust of wind toppled them over. He lost control and the bus was gone.”
Ian, 69, of Edinburgh, suffered spinal injuries. He was taken by helicopter to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Off-duty medics were called in to assist emergency services with the casualties, who are aged between 24 and 75.
Fourteen were taken to Borders General Hospital and eight to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
All six who remained in hospital yesterday were said to be in a stable condition.
Last night, prayers were said in Newtongrange Church hall for those involved.
The Rev Malcolm Muir said: “There is a solemnity across the village. A lot of people are in shock. We are a tight-knit community.
Chief Inspector Steven Duncan said: “Our sympathies are with Ross’s family. Our thoughts also remain with all those injured and their families.”
Staff at Kelso Racecourse said: “Our sadness deepens as more facts emerge regarding the accident. It will impact on a wide community that extends to many of those who regularly attend Kelso races.”