Band’s coach crash terror as ‘brakes fail’
A TEENAGER claimed today that terrified members of a marching band were warned the brakes on their coach had failed moments before it crashed.
Craig Wilcox, aged 18, said that he and his friends were told to brace themselves as the coach careered downhill towards a crossroads before colliding with a car, killing two people.
“We were warned the brakes were not working and to make sure we all had our seat belts on.
“We were all terrified. The next thing we knew the coach had smashed into a car – it was really scary,” added Craig.
Craig, from Tividale, was among members of the West Midlands Crystalletes marching band travelling on the coach to a competition in North Yorkshire when the accident happened yesterday morning.
A major investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Around 50 adults and children were on board the coach which crashed on the A64 near Scarborough at about 9am.
The Crystallettes, who practise at Pelsall Labour Club, were on their way to a marching band event at the Primrose Valley Holiday Park in Filey, near Scarborough, when the accident happened.
Two people in a Volkswagen Passat were pronounced dead at the scene and six passengers on the coach were taken to Scarborough Hospital with minor injuries.
Among the injured was the coach driver, who is thought to have been detained in hospital overnight. He was driving a coach from coach firm 1 4 U, based at Burntwood, Staffordshire. The firm refused to comment today.
Det Insp Geoff Carey, from North Yorskshire Police, said: “It appears the bus came through the traffic lights and collided with the car.
“It carried on through a hedge and through an embankment before colliding with a large camper van.
“The people on the coach were very shocked but fortunately no-one was seriously injured.”
No-one could be contacted immediately for comment from The Crystallettes today.
Craig suffered whiplash injuries and shock in the smash but his father Phillip, a lorry driver, said today he was “livid” that the marching band members went onto the competition after the crash.
“Fortunately Craig was not badly hurt but his girlfriend was with him and she was flung down the coach apparently.
“I just can’t believe that the band members went onto the contest - and we have still not had a call from the organisers of the trip,” he claimed.
