Girl, 15, dies and two fight for life after minibus crash

A teenage girl has died in a minibus crash that also left two others fighting for their lives and three children, including a baby, injured.

The 15-year-old girl died in hospital following the incident that took place on the M74 near Annan at around 4.45pm on Wednesday.

A 17-year-old boy and 42-year-old woman are both in hospital in a critical condition.

A six month old girl, seven-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy all suffered minor injuries as did a 45-year-old man who was driving the bus.

The red Ford Transit Tourneo minibus collided with a white articulated lorry, before hitting the central reservation.

The minibus was carrying the driver and six passengers at the time of the crash.

Emergency services attended and the 15-year-old girl was taken by ambulance to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where she later died.

The 42-year-old woman was taken by air ambulance to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough and the 17-year-old boy was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle.

The rest were taken to the Cumberland Infirmary for treatment.

The road was closed for approximately 12 hours, while police carried out their investigations, reopening around 4.40am on Thursday morning.

Police are now appealing for witnesses.

Sergeant Jonny Edgar from the Road Policing Unit based at Dumfries said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family involved in this devastating incident, and specialist officers are supporting them during this time.

“An investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash and it is important we speak to anyone who was on the road at the time, and may have witnessed what happened or observed the minibus beforehand.

“We would also urge any motorists with dash-cams who were travelling on the M74 on Wednesday afternoon to please check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our enquiries. “Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101.”