Seventeen in hospital after football fans’ minibus crashes in West Yorkshire
Seventeen people are in hospital, seven with serious injuries, after a multi-vehicle crash involving a minibus carrying football fans in West Yorkshire.
The collision happened on the A1M near Pontefract at about 7pm on Saturday, West Yorkshire police said.
The Iveco minibus overturned on the northbound carriageway near junction 40 after a collision involving a black Skoda Fabia.
The minibus was carrying fans of South Shields FC returning from a match, it is understood.
A third vehicle is believed to have been involved – a white car, which the force said had not yet been identified.
South Shields FC said on X: “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.”
South Shields lost 3-2 to Tamworth in the penultimate match of the Vanarama National League North season on Saturday at the Staffordshire club’s Lamb Ground.
A video posted on social media, purportedly taken at the scene, showed a damaged minibus on its side on the hard shoulder of the carriageway.
Parts of the motorway were closed until Sunday morning as emergency services, including Yorkshire air ambulance, attended the scene.
Police said: “Inquiries into the circumstances regarding the collision remain ongoing with officers from the roads policing unit.
“Anyone with information including dashcam 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 live chat function on the website or by calling 101, quoting reference 1324 0197 597.”
Information can also be given anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.