Bus driver fighting for life after crash with van on major road

Two people are fighting for their lives in hospital following a crash between a bus and van in East Ayrshire.

Emergency crews were called to the collision between a single-decker Stagecoach vehicle and a white Ford Transit on the A77, near to the junction of the A719, Galston, at around 5.30pm on Monday evening.

The driver of the Ford, a 42-year-old man, and the driver of the bus, a 23-year-old man, were both taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with life-threatening injuries.

The 23-year-old is described as being in a critical condition and the 42-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition.

Two bus passengers, a 68-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, were taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution and later discharged.

The road was closed for a crash investigation to take place and re-opened around 3.30am on Tuesday.

Inspector Craig Beaver said: “Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen what happened to come forward.

“In addition, if you were driving in the area around the time of this crash and have dash-cam footage that could assist with our investigation, please get in touch.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3147 of August 14.