Stagecoach pays out £100,000 after St Johnstone bus blaze

Nine St Johnstone fans injured when their Stagecoach bus burst into flames after a match in Glasgow have been awarded a total of £100,000 compensation.

The blaze broke out as the supporters returned to Perth after their team's League Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden Park in November 2021.

The fans' injuries included lacerations, fractured bones and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The largest single payment to a fan over the incident was £35,000.

About 70 people were on board the bus when the fire took hold at about 21:30.

One fan told BBC Scotland at the time that the bus was "just engulfed in flames" and that they were lucky to have escaped.

He said he had heard an "almighty bang" and then the bus started to slow down.

Five people were taken to hospital following the incident.

Robert Kernaghan is a partner with Digby Brown Solicitors in Dundee, who acted for the nine fans.

He said: “When you view the images of the bus fire it really is remarkable that more people were not injured by this harrowing and completely avoidable accident.

He added that by "swiftly admitting liability" the coach firm helped prevent victims from suffering further.

A Stagecoach East Scotland spokesperson said: "Safety is our absolute priority and our thoughts are with those injured in this incident.

"A full and thorough investigation has been carried out and we are pleased to have settled the claims of those affected quickly and appropriately."