A Scotland supporter is in hospital with a broken back after being involved in a head-on car crash in Germany while on his way to the Euros.
Gary Ellis, hailing from Dundee, had flown out of Edinburgh Airport with four mates on Thursday, heading to Dusseldorf to cheer on the national team.
The 23-year-old was riding in a rented Citroen C3 when it collided with an S-class Mercedes outside Weeze Airport in the early hours of Friday morning (June 14).
READ MORE: Multiple Scotland fans injured in horror crash outside German airport
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(Image: v-niederrhein)
He’s still in hospital alongside the 25 year old driver of the car, who also sustained serious injuries.
German police have reported that the Scots were driving in the “wrong lane” after their rental car was driven into oncoming traffic as they exited the airport, reports the Daily Record.
Gary’s family have jetted out to be by his hospital bedside as he continues to receive medical care.
His close mate, Graham Pert, has set up a GoFundMe to raise £10,000 to cover the Scotsman’s medical expenses and contribute towards his journey home.
The fundraiser states: “Gary was travelling to Germany to Watch Scotland with a group of mates when they were involved in a head on collision after landing in Germany. Gary’s injuries have resulted in him having a broken back and currently in hospital in Germany where they are waiting to see what is the best way to treat him and for getting him back home.”
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
From his hospital bed, Gary responded to the outpouring of support, saying: “Thanks everyone for all the messages and Graham for setting this up for me and my family. Hopefully I will get back to Dundee soon.”
In the early hours of Friday, four ambulances rushed to the scene. Photos from the incident show suitcases and Scotland flags being retrieved from the wreckage. Men clad in kilts were spotted behind the vehicles.
Three other Scots lads, all aged 23, who were passengers in the rental car suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Mercedes, a 45 year old German bloke, also sustained minor injuries.
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the German Police told The Record: “On Friday, June 14 at 00.10am, a traffic accident occured on the airport ring in Weeze.”
“A 25-year-old Scotsman was travelling with four other men from Scotland (aged 25, 23, 23 and 23 years old) in a rental car, a Citroen C3, after arriving at the airport to travel on to Düsseldorf. The five men were a group of friends who had traveled to Germany for UEFA EURO 2024. On the way from the terminal towards the exit, the man from Scotland drove in the lane for oncoming traffic.”
“This resulted in a head-on collision with a Mercedes Benz S-Class driven by a 45-year-old man from Düsseldorf who was traveling towards the terminal. All of the people were taken to various hospitals in the region by the emergency services. The Citroen was seized to protect the property.”
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