Three remain in hospital after bus crash kills Rangers fan

Accident: Supporter from Dumfries died after coach toppled over at a roundabout

Three people are still in hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a fatal crash involving a Rangers supporters’ bus.

Ryan Baird, 39, from Sanquhar in Dumfries, died after the crash on the A76 at the Crossroads roundabout near Bowhouse Prison on Saturday which left 18 other people in hospital.

Police said four of those injured were kept in overnight, with the condition of two men aged 19 and 61 and a 64-yearold woman, described as serious but not life threatening.

The fourth person, a 67-year-old man, was released from hospital yesterday.

Police said the coach had been removed from the crash site and appealed for anyone with information about the accident to contact them.

Alistair Dickson, 14, of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire, was on the bus and told the Scottish Mail on Sunday he heard the driver say “Oh no, the brakes”, shortly before the crash.

He told the newspaper: “I feel really lucky to be alive. The driver did everything he could but there was nothing he could do.”

Another passenger said the coach “swerved” at the roundabout and the bus landed on its side on a grass verge.

The coach was taking the Nith Valley Loyal Rangers Supporters’ Club to Ibrox Stadium, where Rangers were due to play Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Baird, who was originally from Larne, Northern Ireland.

His cousin, Louise Evanne Baird, said he was “amazing” and would be “sadly missed”.

His partner, Sarah Hughes, also paid tribute to him, saying he had loved the club.

Many of Mr Baird’s friends and family members have changed their profile pictures to a Nith Valley Loyal scarf in his memory.

The club said in a statement: “The club would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and concern at this sad time.”

Tributes were paid online from fans on both sides of the Old Firm divide and from Rangers supporters’ clubs far and wide.

In a club statement, Rangers said it was “deeply saddened” by the crash, adding: “We are also thinking of those who have been injured and taken to hospital.”

Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson said: “Everyone at the football club and every member of our Rangers family is thinking of all of those caught up in this terrible accident.

“Clearly this is a deeply distressing time and the board extend our deepest sympathies and concerns.”

Celtic also passed on their condolences in a club statement.

Ryan Baird died, while 18 others were taken to hospital.