Band’s bus blaze drama

Photo: DARREN ROBINSON

RUINED . . . Mossley Brass Band chairman David Johnson with a drum salvaged from the blaze. Picture: DARREN ROBINSON

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A BAND had a lucky escape after a coach turned into a blazing inferno on the way to a Christmas concert.

The 23 members of Mossley Brass Band were five minutes from the venue in Workington, Cumbria, when the driver stopped and ordered everyone off.

Minutes later there was an explosion sending a wheel hurling across the carriageway and engulfing the vehicle in flames.

Today, shocked bandsmen were still coming to terms with the loss of their instruments.

Band chairman David Johnson (60), who plays baritone, re-lived the weekend’s trauma: “I am still getting flashbacks,” he said.

“At first our driver thought we’d had a puncture and asked us to get off. But then we realised there was fire around one of the wheels.

“A couple of minutes later an explosion sent the wheel flying.

“We’ve lost most of our uniforms and music and almost all the instruments are damaged.”

A passing motorist, police and fire fighters tried in vain to save the coach and its contents.

Members of Kings Lynn football club, returning from Workington, handed out hot soup.

Band members and supporters who had travelled in their own cars to the concert, ran a shuttle service to rescue the bandsmen.

David said: “We are still trying to estimate how much we have lost.

“Our best band uniforms have gone completely. I reckon that alone is more than £5,000, and we just can’t assess damage to our instruments. Luckily, I managed to salvage my baritone.”

The band paid tribute to the people of Workington. “We were overwhelmed by their generosity and hospitality,” said David.

Ashton Band and Oldham Music Centre have promised to lend instruments to Mossley for future dates.

Brendan Newall, of Failsworth firm K Matt Coaches, said: “We don’t have any idea what happened at this stage. Thankfully no one was hurt.”