Police name man who died in minibus crash that injured 23 people

Private bus overturned leaving six men in hospital

A man who died after a minibus overturned, leaving 23 people injured, has been named by police.

Ross Jones Barker, aged 59, from Port Seton, was a passenger on the private minibus carrying a group from Newtongrange to Kelso where it is thought they were heading to the races.

Of the 23 other men also on board, aged between 24 and 75, 14 were taken to Borders General Hospital, eight to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and one was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow, Police Scotland said.

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 at Newtongrange Church Hall yesterday evening.

The Rev Malcolm Muir said: “There is REV MALCOLM MUIR a solemnity across the village at the moment. Yesterday a lot of people were in shock. Tonight is about giving folk some space to share and come together and to talk about what has happened.

“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.”

A message on the church Facebook page said: “We send our love and prayers to the family of the man who has lost his life and to those injured for a speedy recovery.”

Many of those on the bus are believed to be regulars at The Dean Tavern in Newtongrange.

In a post on Facebook on Saturday, pub staff said: “The management and staff would like to pass on our condolences to those affected by the horrific accident on the way to Kelso today. As we wait for more news to come through, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all those affected.”

More than 80 people have condolence messages on the post.

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.

The A6089 reopened at around 9pm with the crashed bus removed from the scene.

There is a solemnity across the village at the moment. Yesterday a lot of people were in shock.

left

Picture: PA. The minibus was pulled out of a field on the A6089, between Carfraemill and Gordon.

Ross Jones Barker.