Dad, 22, killed after boarding wrong bus following football match
A football fan has been killed after boarding the wrong bus following a match. Pedestrian John Burns is understood to have been struck on the M6 on Saturday, September 14.
The Celtic fan had watched his team play Hearts in a Scottish Premiership game at Celtic Park in the hours before he was killed. Mum Marion Bell and girlfriend Rachael Mowles posted desperate appeals online after John did not return home.
His family say he was last seen getting off a bus near Carlise on the M6 but his phone was swithced off and he had no money. They said they were 'worried sick' and it was 'out of character' for him not to contact him.
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John's loved ones have since paid tribute to him, Daily Record reports. Mum Marion Bell said: "My baby boy".
While girlfriend Rachael simply shared a photo of the dad-of-one holding his son in a Celtic strip, captioned with broken heart emojis. Police in Cumbria said the fatal incident happened near junction 42 at around 8.05pm.
The motorway had to be shut in both directions for about 12 hours. A fundraiser has since been launched in the wake of John's death.
It read: "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. Let’s give him the send off he deserves."
The Celtic Fan Group has called for a minute's applause for the team's upcoming match against Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park in honour of the dad. The group paid tribute to John on X, formerly known as Twitter, and posted a picture of him.
It said: "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."
See the fundraiser here.