Scotland fan, 23, suffers broken back in horror head on crash in Germany

A SCOTLAND fan involved in a head on crash going to the Euros suffered a broken back – as he spoke for the first time from his hospital bed.

Gary Ellis, 23, thanked wellwishers as a fundraiser was set up to help him return to his home city of Dundee to recover.

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The Tartan Army footsoldier was travelling with his four pals from Weeze Airport to the Euros when the horror smash occurred.

Police believe the Scots used the “wrong lane” when their rental Citroen C3 was being driven on the left – rather than the right – as it exited Weeze Airport, in the Lower Rhine region, just after midnight on Friday.

A 25-year-old driver and Gary were seriously injured, with the other three men, all aged 23, “slightly injured”.

The car collided with a Mercedes Benz S Class being driven by a 45-year-old man from Dusseldorf, who was also slightly injured.

Today, Gary posted on his social media for the first time since the accident to thank Graham Pert for setting up a gofundme for him, which has already raised £3,000.

He said: ‘Thanks everyone for all the messages and Graham for setting this up for me and my family. 

‘Hopefully get back to Dundee soon.”

The fundraiser read: ‘Gary’s injuries have resulted in him having a broken back and currently in hospital in Germany where they are waiting to see what is the best way to treat him and for getting him back home.

‘I am hoping myself and everyone else can come together in support with any donation no matter how small everything can make a difference in this terrible situation for Gary and his family. 

‘All funds will go to help take the stress off Gary’s family and his girlfriend Kiera along with helping Gary on his recovery when he lands back on home land as recovery for him may take some time.

‘In advance myself and Gary’s family would like to thank everyone who has donated and helped out at this horrible tough time.’

Gary’s mum Mandy Coleman added: ‘Words fail to describe how overwhelmed we are with all the love and support we are receiving for Gary.

‘As you know he’s still in hospital in Germany and awaiting surgery. 

‘We will be at his bedside later today and won’t be coming home without him.

‘Thanks to Graham Pert and Dannii Pert for organising the go fund me for supporting Gary’s recovery. 

‘Dundee really does look after their own.’

A statement by German police said: “On Friday at around 00:10 a.m., a traffic accident occurred on the airport ring in Weeze, in which two people were seriously injured and four people were slightly injured.

“A 25-year-old Scotsman was travelling with four other men from Scotland (25, 23, 23 and 23 years old) in a rental car, a Citroen C3, after arriving at the airport to travel on to Düsseldorf.

“The five men were a group of friends who had travelled to Germany for UEFA EURO 2024.

“On the way from the terminal towards the exit, the man from Scotland drove in the lane for oncoming traffic.

“This resulted in a head-on collision with a Mercedes Benz S-Class driven by a 45-year-old man from Düsseldorf who was travelling towards the terminal.

“Based on the investigations as part of the accident report, it is suspected that the Scottish driver used the wrong lane due to the left-hand traffic in his home country.”