Tributes paid and fundraiser set up after man Ryan Wheeler dies in three-car crash on Auchenhowie Road

Tributes have been paid to a 21-year-old man who died in a crash which left a schoolgirl fighting for her life and a teenage boy with serious injuries.

Ryan Wheeler died after a Skoda Superb, Audi A4 and a Ford Tourneo Classic collided in East Dunbartonshire on Sunday night.

Mr Wheeler was a passenger in the back of the Skoda and was declared dead by emergency services at the scene on Auchenhowie Road.

A 16-year-old girl, also a rear-seat passenger in the Skoda, was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Her condition is described as critical.

The Skoda’s driver, a 19-year-old man, was taken to the same hospital with serious injuries – where he is still being treated.

Two other passengers, a 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man, sustained minor injuries.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Wheeler, a former pupil of Hillhead High School in Glasgow.

Friend Abby Grant has set up a fundraiser for the 21-year-old’s family.

“Ryan had a heart of gold and always had everyone laughing,” she said.

“Let’s help his family give him the send off he deserves.”

Thousands of pounds have been donated in Mr Wheeler’s memory so far.

There is also an effort to organise a minute’s applause during the Rangers home match against Kilmarnock on Saturday for him.

The 65-year-old female driver of the Audi and her 82-year-old male passenger were uninjured.

The driver of the Ford Tourneo, aged 38, and his passengers aged, 30, 29 and 31 were also unhurt.

The Skoda’s driver and his two surviving male passengers have all been arrested.