Stag party’s horror

12 injured as minibus overturns after motorway blow-out

A DOZEN revellers were injured when a minibus crashed on a motorway as a stag trip turned to disaster.

The victims of the smash on the M1 in West Yorkshire yesterday afternoon were all from the Rochdale area and included several members of top local team Tonge Bowling Club, on the Oldham/Middleton border.

The party had been to York races on Saturday before enjoying a night out in Newcastle and were returning home when the accident happened on the slip road of the southbound carriageway on to the M62, near Lofthouse, at 1.50pm.

Eleven passengers and the driver were hurt, seven of them seriously. Two were initially in a critical condition.

Police this morning said the pair had improved and their injuries were not deemed life-threatening but relatives say they remain very poorly. The others were well enough to leave hospital.

The groom, Thomas Dobson, suffered a broken ankle and cuts. He may need surgery.

The most seriously injured was bride Hayley Ryan’s father Tommy Ryan (58) who injured his back and shoulder and suffered a fractured left ankle and cuts.

Andrew Lowe, a bowler at Tonge, suffered a fractured spine, collarbone and leg, an arm wound and cuts. He was due to have surgery this morning. Others suffered broken bones and cuts.

The groom’s mother Glynis Dobson, from Norden, said: “It was a hell of a shock. We are devastated. Thomas is still in shock and he can’t believe what’s happened.

“It’s the wedding a week on Saturday and we don’t know what will happen. Hayley will want her dad at the wedding but at the moment it’s looking doubtful. He’s very poorly.”

Police said the accident was caused by a blow-out on the driver’s side. Only the minibus is believed to have been involved as it overturned on a grass verge.

The injured were taken to Leeds General Infirmary and Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield by helicopter and ambulances.

The slip road, and one lane of the M1, were closed, causing long tailbacks, but re-opened before 7pm.

The bowling club is one of the top sides in the country and plays in the Manchester Premier League.

West Yorkshire Police appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them on 0845-6060 606.