An online fundraiser set up in memory of a young Renfrewshire dad has generated almost £7,000 as an inquest into his death on an English motorway began.
Tragic John Burns was involved in a fatal collision as a pedestrian on the M6 near junction 42, on the outskirts of Carlisle, on Saturday, September 14, around 8pm.
The 22-year-old father-of-one was reportedly dropped off in the town after boarding the wrong bus following the Hoops’ Premiership clash with Hearts in Glasgow.
The inquest, which began on Tuesday at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court, heard how John was “struck by a number of vehicles”.
Assistant coroner for Cumbria, Dr Nicholas Shaw, said John was a student of electrical engineering and had been formally identified by his fingerprints.
“The brief circumstances are that he was struck by probably a number of vehicles while a pedestrian on the motorway,” he said.
“It’s not yet known how this came to be but there will obviously be a full accident investigation.
“When that’s complete, we will resume the inquest and full details will enter the public domain.”
John was close to celebrating his 23rd birthday and leaves behind a baby son.
His mum, Marion Bell, and girlfriend, Rachael Mowles, had initially issued desperate appeals after revealing John had not returned home after the game at Celtic Park.
John’s family believed he was last seen getting off a bus near Carlisle on the M6 but his phone was switched off and he had no money.
They said they were “worried sick” and it was “out of character” for him not to be in contact.
The following day, they learned he had been the pedestrian killed on the M6.
Fellow Hoops supporters left shocked by what happened shared tributes and said, “nobody should go to a football match and not return home”.
Celtic fans also called for a minute’s applause in John’s honour at the recent Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava.
In the aftermath of the fatal collision, Cumbria police appealed for any witnesses, and those with dash-cam footage, to come forward.
An online fundraiser established for John’s family has raised almost £7,000.
Dr Shaw adjourned the hearing on Tuesday morning. A full inquest is due to be held on a date to be fixed.
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