Service marks M62 coach bombing anniversary

Date published: 03 February 2014


FRIENDS and family of the 12 people killed in the 1974 M62 coach bombing marked the tragedy’s 40th anniversary at a moving memorial service.

L/Cpl James John McShane (28), of Long Land, Chadderton, and Fusilier Jack Hynes (19), from Age Croft, Alt, were among the victims when a 50lb bomb in the luggage locker tore through the back of an Army coach taking soldiers and relatives back to Catterick camp after weekend leave on February 4.

The blast, which could be heard several miles away, reduced the coach to a “tangle of twisted metal”.

Nine soldiers and three civilians died and a further 50 passengers were seriously injured.

At the time it was believed the Provisional IRA was behind the blast.

The Oldham Liaison of Ex-Service Association organised Sunday’s act of remembrance which took place on the westbound Hartshead Moor service station between junction 25 Brighouse and junction 26 Bradford.

A memorial to those who died was created in the entrance hall of the services, which was used as a first-aid station for the injured, and there is now a larger memorial, set away from the foyer following a campaign by relatives of the dead.