Club vows to support crash fans

SOUTH Shields Football Club have vowed to support fans following a horror crash over the weekend.

A minibus carrying fans overturned on the A1 as they were travelling back to the North East following the club’s 3-2 defeat against Tamworth in the Vanarama National League North.

The crash, which happened near Darrington in Yorkshire on Saturday evening, resulted in at least 15 fans being rushed to different hospitals in the area.

The road was closed in both directions and tailbacks reached several miles.

On Monday, South Shields FC’s Sporting Director, Lee Picton, 45, gave an update, saying the club is determined to support those affected by the crash.

He said: “Whilst there have been a range of physical injuries, some have, incredibly, managed to get out of that situation with very minor injuries. Some have suffered more significant injuries, [and] I think one thing that has become very evident is that everybody has suffered a high level of emotional trauma.

“When you see the state of the minibus, it’s an absolute wreck. First-responders themselves have said it’s absolutely incredible that there’s been no loss of life because of the severity of the impact and the way the bus has rolled across the road. As a club, we are working closely with one of our partners, Impact North East, who have very kindly offered free counselling services to all the fans that were affected, which is an incredible gesture by them.

“From the football club end, we’re following up to offer our support and to try and help those affected as much as we can, to let them know we’re thinking of them and that we’ll do everything we can to try and help with their recovery.

“In the immediate aftermath of the accident, some fans who were still in the North East jumped in their cars and drove down to the scene to help, support and care for the people directly involved.

“I think that’s a testament to just how close the community of fans we have throughout the club. Through a very difficult and horrifying experience, people have rally gone above and beyond to support their fellow friends and fans.

“As far as we know, there are no life threatening injuries. There are a few people with broken bones and serious cuts as there was a lot of glass flying all over.

“There’s still two or three fans in hospital at the moment. I’ve personally spoken to the majority of them and there’s varying degrees of physical injury.”