Police treating death of bus driver in crash on A77 in Ayrshire as murder

The death of a 23-year-old bus driver in a crash on the A77 in East Ayrshire is now being treated as murder.

Gordon Stirling from Kilmarnock died in hospital earlier this week, days after the single decker Stagecoach bus he was driving collided with a white Ford Transit van near Galston.

The 42-year-old van driver was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries, while two passengers on the bus also received treatment.

On Thursday evening Police Scotland confirmed it had launched a murder investigation.

READ MORE: Bus driver fighting for life after A77 horror crash with van

Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer McCulloch said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Gordon Stirling and we are providing them with support as investigation progresses.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or who dashcam footage which may assist is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 3147 of Monday, 14 August, 2023.”

READ MORE: Bus driver who died in A77 crash named as Kilmarnock man Gordon Stirling

Paying tribute to 23-year-old Gordon Stirling, Fiona Doherty, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of our colleague Gordon Stirling. Gordon was the driver of the service 4 bus which was involved in a road traffic incident with another vehicle on Monday 14 August on the A77.

"The whole Stagecoach team is devasted about this and we all send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. We are also supporting those colleagues at Stagecoach who knew him.

"We thank the emergency services for their response and the NHS team at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. A full investigation is under way into this incident.”

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