James Burns, the father of a Celtic fan tragically killed on a motorway after boarding the wrong bus, has taken it upon himself to investigate his son’s death in search of answers. John Burns, aged 22, was fatally struck by multiple vehicles on the M6 near Carlisle on September 14 of the previous year after disembarking from the bus. This heartbreaking incident occurred following his attendance at Celtic’s Scottish Premiership match against Hearts in Glasgow. James Burns expressed profound anguish, stating that crucial questions regarding why his son ended up dead 100 miles away from his home in Newton Mearns remain unanswered.
Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, James lamented, “My son would be alive today if he didn’t get on that supporters bus. It is a living nightmare. I’ve been left to think of my boy dying alone on the motorway, and still we don’t know how he ended up there.” The grieving father highlighted the confusion and sense of loss felt by John’s partner Rachel and their two-year-old son Reggie. The family’s grief is compounded by the lack of closure as they await an inquest into the tragedy, which is contingent on the completion of a fatal accident inquiry for which no schedule has been provided.
James recounted the events leading up to the fateful day, noting John’s positive spirits before the football match and his subsequent boarding of a Celtic supporters bus bound for England, from where he was dropped off in Carlisle town centre. Suspecting that his son may have been attempting to hitch a ride back to Glasgow, James has spent the past five months trying to locate passengers on the bus for potential insights, yet his efforts have been met with silence. He emphasised, “I feel like I’ve had to become a private detective to get answers for my family.”
Despite his relentless pursuit of truth amidst immense personal loss, James appealed to the public for any information that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding John’s untimely death. Meanwhile, police in Cumbria have urged witnesses to the crash to come forward, offering contact through online channels or by phone, quoting the incident number 238 of September 14. The quest for closure and justice in the wake of such a tragic loss underscores the unwavering determination and love of a father seeking answers and solace for his beloved son.