Police appeal after Aston Villa bus hit by brick on M65 near Burnley
Lancashire Police have asked anyone who was travelling along the motorway today, Sunday, August 27, at around 5.15pm to come forward with information.
The brick was thrown from a footbridge near the slip road at junction 10.
Officers are asking for dashcam footage following the incident this afternoon.
It caused some damage to the bus as it struck the windscreen, but thankfully nobody was injured.
However this could have been a lot worse and police say they will not stand for people putting motorists in danger in this way.
Can you help? Were you travelling along the M65 near J10 today (Sunday) at around 5.15pm? We are asking for dashcam footage/information after a brick was thrown from a footbridge at the Aston Villa team bus. Info? Call 101, quoting log 480. More here: https://t.co/9BigoW0p3J pic.twitter.com/tOl16M5927[1][2]
— Lancashire Police (@LancsPolice) August 27, 2023[3]Police would now like to hear from anybody who was travelling along that stretch of motorway and who either saw the incident or saw those responsible.
They would especially like to hear from anybody who has dashcam which could help with our enquiries.
Supt Melita Worswick, of Lancashire Police, said: “This incident occurred when a great deal of traffic was leaving the area following the football[4] match between Burnley and Aston Villa.
It is nothing but good fortune that the brick didn’t cause more damage, or result in somebody being seriously injured or even killed.
“We cannot say at this point whether this was a targeted attack but enquiries are ongoing and this will form part of our investigation.
“We are now determined to find the person or people responsible and are asking for anyone with information to get in touch. If you have any information or dashcam which can help us, please contact us as soon as possible.”
Burnley Football Club is saddened and dismayed to learn about an attack on the Aston Villa team bus at junction 10 of the M65 after today’s match.
Having spoken with Villa we are relieved to hear nobody was hurt in the incident.
We strongly condemn this behaviour and will…
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 27, 2023[5]Following the incident, Burnley FC[6] issued a statement, saying it was "saddened and dismayed" to learn of the attack.
It said: "Burnley Football Club is saddened and dismayed to learn about an attack on the Aston Villa team bus at junction 10 of the M65 after today’s match.
"Having spoken with Villa we are relieved to hear nobody was hurt in the incident.
"We strongly condemn this behaviour and will support Lancashire Police in their efforts to find whoever was responsible."
Anybody with information can contact us on 101, quoting log 480.
References
- ^ https://t.co/9BigoW0p3J (t.co)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/tOl16M5927 (t.co)
- ^ August 27, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ football (www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ August 27, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ Burnley FC (www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)