Police name victim killed after minibus overturned
A MAN who died after a minibus overturned, leaving 23 people injured, has been named by police.
Ross Jones Barker, 59, was a passenger on the private minibus carrying a group from Newtongrange to Kelso where it is thought they were heading to the races.
Mr Ross, from Port Seton, East Lothian, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The private minibus was carrying 23 adult passengers plus the driver, with the men on board aged between 24 and 75.
Eight of them were taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 14 were taken to Borders General Hospital, and one was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Police said that six men remain in hospital with serious injuries, but all are considered stable.
The crash happened on the A6089, between Carfraemill and Gordon in the Scottish Borders, at around 10.50am on Saturday.
Prayers for those involved were said last night at Newtongrange Church Hall.
The Rev Malcolm Muir said: “There is a solemnity across the village at the moment. Newtongrange is a tight-knit community though it is also very inclusive of people who have moved to the area, and it has a very strong sense of identity.”
Police said the crash was declared a major incident, with the Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, NHS Scotland and Scottish Borders Council involved.
Chief Inspector Steven Duncan of the Lothians & Scottish Borders Police Division said: “This has been an outing among friends and associates which has turned into tragedy. Our sympathies are with Ross’ family, who have respectfully requested privacy during this terrible ordeal as they try to come to terms with their loss. Our thoughts also remain with all those injured and their families.
Local MSP Neil Findlay tweeted: “Horrendous news about the Midlothian men whose minibus crashed on the way to the races at Kelso – my thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.”