The death of a Scots bus driver who was involved in a crash with a van is being treated as murder.
Gordon Stirling, 23, was driving a single-decker Stagecoach bus on the A77 near Galston, Ayrshire, when it was in collision with a white Ford Transit at a junction.
After the crash, on August 14, Mr Stirling, from Crosshouse, near Kilmarnock, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow but died on Saturday.
The van driver, a 42-year-old man, was also taken to hospital. His condition was described as serious but stable.
Police said the fatal collision is being treated as a murder investigation.
Gordon Stirling, 23, was driving the bus on the A77 near Galston, Ayrshire, when it was in collision with a white Ford Transit at a junction. He was taken to hospital where he died five days later
After the crash, on August 14, Mr Stirling, from Crosshouse, near Kilmarnock, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow but died on Saturday
Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer McCulloch, of Police Scotland, said: ‘Our inquiries 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 at the junction with the A719, or who has dashcam footage that may assist the investigation, has been asked to contact police.
Mr Stirling’s employer is offering support to his workmates.
Fiona Doherty, director of Stagecoach West, said: ‘The whole Stagecoach team is devastated about this and we all send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.’
She thanked the emergency services for their response following the incident and the NHS team at the QEUH who cared for Mr Stirling.
It came as his family made an appeal to source a Mini Cooper hearse or trailer to hire for the car enthusiast’s funeral.
The family said they had found one in England but would need to find a similar vehicle in Scotland for the ceremony.
They added: ‘Everybody that knew him will undoubtedly know his passion for cars but his absolute love was his precious Minis.
‘Thank you all and thank you for the lovely messages we have received.’
Following Mr Stirling’s death, friends took to social media to pay tributes and offer their heartfelt condolences to his family.
Mr Stirling was driving a was driving a single-decker Stagecoach bus. Fiona Doherty, director of Stagecoach West, said ‘the whole Stagecoach team is devastated about this and we all send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends’
One said: ‘Have been thinking of him a lot over the last few days since I heard about the accident.
‘Car enthusiast, fellow DC5 owner and one of the nicest lads I’ve had the privilege of knowing. Rest in peace Gordon.’
Another said: ‘Gordy was the most genuine guy out there. Pleasure of calling him one of my pals.’
A third said: ‘He was the best friend I ever had and it was a pleasure having him in my life.
‘He will live on through all the beautiful memories we all have of him.’
Another said: ‘I am absolutely devastated. Thank you so much for being there the past year and a half, full of laughs, full of energy, full of passion for libertarianism and just for being you.
‘You were an amazing friend and an unbelievably gifted person taken way too young.’