Twelve Rochdale men injured following motorway crash

Twelve men from Rochdale have been injured in a minibus crash on the M1 in West Yorkshire as they travelled home from a stag party.

West Yorkshire Police received an emergency call at 1.50pm yesterday (Sunday 25 July 2010) reporting a mini bus had overturned on the grass verge on the slip road from the M1 southbound onto the M62.

Emergency services including police, fire and ambulance attended the scene.

Eleven passengers and the driver of the mini bus have suffered injuries. Seven have serious injuries and five have minor injuries.

The occupants of the minibus are men in their 20s and 30s from the Rochdale area, police said.

Several victims of the smash were members of the Tonge Bowling Club in Middleton.

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.

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 ambulance and air ambulance.

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