Horror mini bus crash leaves 17 football fans in hospital after multi-vehicle smash
A HORROR mini bus crash has left 17 football fans in hospital after a multi-vehicle smash.
The traffic incident took place on the A1 near Darrington in West Yorkshire leaving fans of South Shields FC injured.
The harrowing accident occurred following the team’s away match against Tamworth on April 13 at around 7pm.
Footie fans had been travelling home from a 3-2 defeat against Tamworth in the Vanarama National League North.
But the journey ended up in chaos and anguish after their minibus careened onto its side.
A shocking video posted on social media from the scene shows a damaged minibus on its side on the carriageway.
Emergency services and police flocked to the area and cordoned off the motorway on both sides until 3am today.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service claimed despite the chaos no lives were lost.
West Yorkshire Police added: “Following the collision, 17 football fans were rushed to the nearest hospital.
“Shortly after 7pm on April 13, a number of calls were received reporting a minibus had overturned on the Northbound carriageway near junction 40 with passengers inside.
“The collision involved a black Skoda Fabia and an Iris single decker minibus.
“Initial enquiries suggest there is a third vehicle involved, a white car, which has not yet been identified.
“There were 17 people injured and taken to hospital for treatment, with seven of those thought to have suffered serious injuries.
“Enquiries into the circumstances regarding the collision remain ongoing with officers from the Roads Policing Unit.”
South Shields FC took to social media to reach out to their supporters expressing solidarity and hopes for recovery.
The club posted on their Facebook page: “Our thoughts go out to the supporters involved in a crash on the way home from today’s game. At this moment of time we have no further details, however we hope everyone is safe and recovering.”
Other football clubs also passed on their own good wishes.
Tamworth said: “We are so sorry to hear about the accident. Our sincere thoughts are with everyone involved and trust everybody makes a full recovery.”
Cops are now urging any witnesses with information to come forward and help with the investigation.
They said: “Inquiries into the circumstances regarding the collision remain ongoing with officers from the roads policing unit.
“Anyone with information including dash cam footage relating to the collision or the unidentified white car, who has not yet spoken to the police, is asked to contact the Roads Policing Unit via the livechat function on the website or by calling 101 quoting reference 13240197597.
“Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”