17 people injured after minibus crash on A1 West Yorkshire
Seventeen people have been taken to hospital after a crash involving a minibus, with seven of those suffering serious injuries.
The collision, involving a black Skoda Fabia and an Iris minibus happened on the A1 in West Yorkshire near junction 40 at around 7pm yesterday (13 April).
Officers say initial enquiries suggest there is a third vehicle involved, a white car, which has not yet been identified.
J40 at Darrington and J41 of the M62 remained closed until this morning (14 April), due to an overturned vehicle.
All emergency services including Yorkshire Ambulance were at the scene.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service said its services were under “extreme pressure” because of the crash, which saw 17 people taken to Leeds General Infirmary, Pinderfields and York hospitals.
A wide range of resources were sent including air ambulance and hazardous area response team.
In a statement, the service said: "We received a call at 19.06 to a road traffic incident on the A1 near Darrington, West Yorkshire.
"We responded to the incident with a wide range of resources and seventeen patients were taken to hospitals in the region."
Those involved in the crash include South Shields FC fans who were travelling home from a game against Tamworth in the Vanarama National League North.
Lee Pickton, the Sporting Director of South Shields FC, had said that the club have been overwhelmed by the support offered from fans across the country.
"I really want to thank not only the countless other clubs and people generally who've reached out to us through social media to pass on their best wishes.
"But actually I really want to give a big thank you to the many South Shields fans that when hearing about the incident, have gone way above and beyond and have actually travelled themselves from here in the North East down to the accident scene to comfort, help and support those involved in the accident.
"It shows the level of community we have within the fanbase," he said.
The club have said on social media that they hope that those in the crash are "safe and recovering."
West Yorkshire police are appealing for information, including dash cam footage relating to the incident, or the unidentified white car.
In a statement, the force said: "Police in Wakefield are appealing for information following a serious road traffic collision on the A1 near Darrington, Pontefract yesterday evening. "Shortly after 7pm, a number of calls were received reporting a minibus had overturned on the Northbound carriageway near junction 40 with passengers inside. "The collision involved a black Skoda Fabia and an Iris single decker minibus. Initial enquiries suggest there is a third vehicle involved, a white car, which has not yet been identified. "There were 17 people injured and taken to hospital for treatment, with seven of those are thought to have suffered serious injuries."
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