Tributes paid to bus crash teen Kieran Swinton

TOUCHING tributes were paid last night to an Ormiston teenager who died in a morning rush hour collision with a school bus.

Kieran Swinton, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Picture: supplied

One friend wrote online she hoped Kieran Swinton, 19, who was driving a van when the accident unfolded, would “Rest in paradise” after the tragedy that shook a group of close young friends.

Kieran, a scaffolder, was behind the wheel when the crash with the school bus took place on Wednesday morning.

Kieran died at the scene on the A803 Stirling Road in the Banton area of North Lanarkshire.

No-one was hurt on the private school bus but one child was shaken though unharmed.

The driver of the bus and a male passenger in the van were both taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and released after treatment.

Shannon Hunt wrote on Kieran’s Facebook page: “Rest in paradise. Brightest star in the sky by far! Sleep tight.”

Shannon Mcewan posted: “Rest in peace beautiful. You will be forever in my heart.”

Connor Robertson wrote: “Rest in peace Swinton bro. Shine bright ma man.”

Jordan Coyle posted the touching sentiment: “Shine Brighter Like a legend in the sky.”

And Stephanie Murray wrote: “Sleep tight angel. You are the brightest star in the sky.”

Kieran was a popular young man and one of his friends said it was important that a lot of his friends paid tribute to him after his untimely death.

He had worked as a scaffolder for Springfield Properties PLC, with offices in Edinburgh and across the country. It is not known if he was working when the accident took place.

The youth’s Facebook page was filled with photos showing happy memories with friends.

In one photo the teenager is playing with a small child, full of smiles for the camera.

His fondness for driving was apparent, with a photo of a red, sporty car on his Facebook timeline.

Police Scotland is appealing for witnesses following the fatal road crash.

Police and emergency services responded to reports of a two-vehicle road traffic collision involving a van and a school coach.

Sergeant David Stenhouse from the Divisional Road Policing Unit, based at Motherwell, said: “The area would have been busy with rush-hour traffic around the time of the incident and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Divisional Road Policing Unit at Motherwell on 101.