Celtic fan killed in horror street incident after boarding flawed bus post-match

A Celtic fan has tragically died in a motorway disaster after catching the wrong bus following the Celtic vs Hearts match.

The man, named John Burns, was the victim struck in the deadly M6 incident near Carlisle on Saturday night, September 14. It’s said he ended up in the town by mistake after hopping on the wrong coach.

In utter devastation, relatives and fellow supporters have been paying their respects to the 22-year-old dad, believed to hail from Glasgow. They’ve been left heartbroken, stating “Nobody should go to a football match and not return home”.

His mother Marion Bell grieved with the words “My baby boy”, while John’s girlfriend Rachael Mowles expressed her sorrow by posting a snap of the young father with his little one kitted out in Celtic gear, paired with shattering heart emojis.

Celtic supporters are now calling for a heartfelt minute of applause during their next game against Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park on Wednesday night as a tribute to young John, reports the Daily Record.

The request was made in an emotional plea that was shared along with a touching picture of John cuddling his son: “This is John. He recently lost his life aged just 22. No age at all. He was at the Celtic game on Saturday.”

“No one should ever go to a game and not come home, NO ONE. We ask that you please join in the minutes applause on the 23rd minute on Wednesday night. Rest easy John.”

As tributes flood in from across the footballing world, it’s understood that John was set to celebrate his 23rd birthday soon.

In solidarity, Kerri Anne Millar added: “Nobody should go to a football match and not return home.. Rest easy, John.”

Christina Griffiths shared her heartache: “He was such a brilliant boy, with so much ahead of him. This is so unfair.”

Kieran Millington paid tribute saying: “I loved John. He will always be my boy. I am heartbroken.”

Bradley Wilkie mourned: “Rest easy John, mate. He was such a good guy. Gone too soon.”

Michael Trew offered his respects: “Rest in peace John. You were a top man and always a good laugh.”

Mum Marion and girlfriend Rachael sounded the alarm this Sunday, revealing that John hadn’t made it back home after Saturday’s Scottish Premiership clash at Celtic Park.

He was reportedly last seen hopping off a bus near Carlisle along the M6, phone switched off, wallet empty. Distraught and “worried sick”, the family said it wasn’t like him to lose touch and they feared the worst.

Cumbria’s constabulary detailed a tragic event on the M6 close to junction 42 occurring approximately at 8:05pm on September 14 the ordeal led to a whopping 12-hour shutdown of the motorway in both directions, while police and emergency services flocked to the accident site.

And in their latest update come Monday, the police have put out a call for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage around the M6, especially near junction 42 on the A6, at the time of the mishap to come forward.

A fundraising campaign has been launched to support John’s loved ones, with a GoFundMe page stating: “I’m hoping you all can give something to help take some unneeded pressure of finances of Johns family it’s the last thing they need when dealing with such a sudden loss.”

“John was loved by all his family and friends , he was just about to turn 23 years old and sadly god took him too soon. He has a gorgeous wee boy and partner and really was adored for just being wee John. Please let’s take some pressure off his mum. L et’s give him the send off he deserves.”

If you have any information about the incident, you can report it online at www.cumbria. police.uk/report-it, quoting incident number 238 of 14 September 2024, or call 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To donate to John’s fundraiser, click here.