Inquest opens into death of Celtic fan killed on the M6 in Cumbria

Glowing tributes were paid to 22-year-old John Burns[1] following his death on Saturday, September 14. Police were called at just after 8pm amid reports of a fatal collision involving a pedestrian in the area of junction 42, on the outskirts of Carlisle[2]. In the aftermath, the force appealed for any witnesses, and those with dash cam footage, to come forward.

Avid Celtic fan John had been watching the Hoops’ Scottish Premiership home game against Hearts in Glasgow earlier that day. There were reports that he had boarded a wrong bus. In the tragedy’s aftermath, the Celtic Fans Group said: “No one should ever go to a game and not come home.”

An inquest into John’s death was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning (Tuesday). Assistant coroner for Cumbria, Dr Nicholas Shaw, said John, of Renfrewshire, was a single man and a student of electrical engineering. The tragedy, Dr Shaw noted, had occurred on the motorway’s northbound carriageway, close to Junction 42.

“The brief circumstances are that he was struck by probably a number of vehicles whilst a pedestrian on the motorway. It’s not yet known how this came to be but there will obviously be a full accident investigation,” said the coroner. “When that’s complete we will resume the inquest and full details will enter the public domain.”

Formal identification had been confirmed by a forensic fingerprint examiner.

Dr Shaw adjourned the hearing.

A full inquest is due to be held on a date to be fixed.

References

1. ^ tributes were paid to 22-year-old John Burns (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
2. ^ in the area of junction 42, on the outskirts of Carlisle (www.newsandstar.co.uk)