TRIBUTES TO RYAN, 39, KILLED IN GERS FANS CRASH
Messages of goodwill flood in to fiancee after horror accident on way to match
TRIBUTES have been paid to a Rangers fan who lost his life in a horror bus smash.
Ryan Baird, 39, was killed when the coach flipped near a roundabout on its way to Ibrox Stadium.
It’s understood the popular and muchloved figure – who originally hailed from Northern Ireland – was due to marry girlfriend Sarah Hughes, 29, shortly.
On Sarah’s public Facebook page, her profile picture was last night updated to the logo of the supporters’ group he belonged to.
Many anguished pals left messages of condolence on the Facebook page, detailing their utter disbelief at what had happened.
Ellis White wrote: “Sarah can’t believe this! Was just about crying when I heard about Ryan!”
Jeanette Gray said: “I’m so sorry to hear your sad news Sarah...I’m thinking of you and the family. God bless.”
Ryan, of Sanquhar, was on a coach carrying members of the Nith Valley Loyal Rangers Supporters Club from Dumfries to Glasgow when tragedy struck.
Eighteen passengers were taken to Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, following the accident. Two were last night described as being in a “serious” condition. In total, 37 people were on board including the driver.
In Sanqhuar, some of the Nith Valley Loyal Rangers Supporters Club drank in the Crown Inn.
The pub’s landlord Duncan Park said: “I’d like to offer my condolences to Ryan’s family.
“He was a customer and it has been very upsetting to learn of his death.”
Witnesses said the bus “swerved” before landing on its side on a grass verge on the A76 shortly after 1pm.
A hero dad who helped rescue 16 people from the bus last night recounted how he pulled stunned survivors from the wreckage.
Martin Brooks, 49, was on his way with wife Shona, son Sean, 23, and daughter Katie, 18, to nearby stables when he came across the bus lying on its side.
The forestry worker – who was first at the scene – helped the driver make a hole in the windscreen to let people off the bus.
Martin said: “We got there before the emergency services just after 1pm.
“We saw it was serious so got out the car to see what we could do to help.
“The driver had been trying to make a hole in the windscreen with his feet and a fire extinguisher but he was exhausted and unable to continue.
“The hole wasn’t big enough for people to escape through.”
The driver then passed the fire extinguisher to Martin who continued hammering at the windscreen to make an escape hole. He said: “it was a precarious situation. “Some people were conscious and others weren’t.”
The dad- of- two spent several minutes hitting the window before the hole was big enough to get people out.
The driver then rounded up the wounded who were able to move and passed them to Martin who was outside the bus.
The rest of the family gathered the survivors further down the road, assessing their injuries.
He said: “We got 16 out. There was eight left in the bus when the emergency services arrived.
“They couldn’t be moved for various reasons.
“The dead man was slumped on the
Sarah can’t believe this ... was just crying when I heard about Ryan
back seat. I don’t think he was strapped in.
He said the driver didn’t mention what had happened and was reluctant to leave the vehicle while there were still passengers onboard.
Martin added: “He didn’t seem to have many injuries apart from some cuts to his hands.
“I think that came from trying to break the window, I have some minor cuts too.
“The driver seemed to be in real shock.
“We tried to save as many people as we could. It’s real sadness to learn someone lost his life.”
The tight-knit community where the supporters’ club is based was last night in shock.
A barmaid in the Auld Pub in Kirkconnel where the club was also based said the community was in mourning.
She said: “He rarely came in here but was well-known in the community.
“It’s very upsetting what’s happened. No one can believe it.”
One woman who was on the coach but he did not wish to be named said it was a horrifying experience.
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. It was awful. 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.
“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 my 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 DavidWeir 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.”
The other side of the Old Firm released a statement passing on their ” condolences.
A Celtic spokesperson said: “In relation to news of today’s accident involving Rangers supporters on their way to the match, everyone at Celtic sends our sincere condolences following the death of a supporter.
“We would like of course to also offer our best wishes to all those involved in this accident.
“We understand a significant number of people have been affected and our thoughts are very much with them at what will be a difficult time for all these supporters and their families.”
Nith Valley Loyal Rangers Supporters’ Club said in a statement: “The club would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and concern at this sad time.” A Police Scotland spokesman said inquiries into the serious incident were ongoing.
Rangers FC said in a statement: “The club would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and concern at this sad time.”
Ryan’s family in Northern Ireland could not be contacted last night. At his home address someone told The Sunday Post they did not wish to comment.