FIVE people have been taken to hospital after a bus caught fire on a Scots motorway.
Emergency services were called to the A9 flyover near Auchterarder at around 9.30pm yesterday to reports of the vehicle blaze.
Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the scene near The Gleneagles Hotel, and the road was quickly closed.
READ THE LATEST: Hospitalised St Johnstone fan describes moment he narrowly escaped bus fire on A9
It has since been confirmed that the bus was carrying St Johnstone supporters heading back to Perth after their semi-final match against Celtic at Hampden.
Dan Shek, of the St Johnstone Fair City Saints Comittee, said: "
On behalf of Fair City Saints committee, I can confirm it was our supporters bus that caught fire last night.Firstly i am glad to say everyone made it off the bus and whilst a few went to hospital with minor injuries all are doing well.
"This was a freak incident and we are thankful for the speedy response of the emergency services that attended.
"The quick thinking of the committee members and others on the bus plus the bus driver himself ensured everyone was off the bus as quickly and as safely as possible and everyone made it home to there loved ones.
"This could have been a lot worse but its not worth thinking about."
Police confirmed to The Herald this morning that five people were taken to hospital as a precaution.
❗️UPDATE⌚️ 10.25#A9 N/B off-slip at A823 (for Gleneagles) remains closed following a vehicle fire last last night.@SETrunkRoads pic.twitter.com/jM7JeuwL9Q
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) November 21, 2021
The road remained closed more than 12 hours after the incident, and Traffic Scotland are urging people to avoid the area and seek different routes.
A police spokeswoman told The Herald: "Officers attended to help with road closures, alongside the fire service and ambulance service.
"There were not believed to be any serious injuries and five people were taken to hospital as a precaution."
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