Police launch appeal after Aston Villa team bus hit by brick on motorway
Lancashire Police have launched an appeal for information and dashcam footage after Aston Villa's team bus was damaged by a brick on its way back from Burnley.
Police say a brick was thrown from a footbridge at the vehicle as it was travelling on the M65 motorway following Villa's 3-1 Premier League victory over the Clarets[1] at Turf Moor on Sunday, at around 5.15pm. The front windscreen of the bus was damaged[2] but fortunately nobody was injured as a result of the incident.
Lancashire Police said in a statement: "We are asking for dashcam footage or any other information after a brick was thrown from a footbridge at the Aston Villa[3] team bus as it travelled along the motorway. The footbridge is located by the slip road at junction 10 of the M65.
"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 clearly we will not stand for people putting motorists in danger in this way.
"We 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. We would especially like to hear from anybody who has dashcam which could help with our enquiries."
Supt Melita Worswick of Lancashire Police added: “This incident occurred when a great deal of traffic was leaving the area following the football match between Burnley[6] 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 said in a statement of their own[7]: "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 (Sunday'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 the police on 101, quoting log 480.
References
- ^ Villa's 3-1 Premier League victory over the Clarets (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ The front windscreen of the bus was damaged (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Aston Villa (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Burnley condemn 'attack' on Aston Villa team bus (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Aston Villa team coach damaged after win at Burnley (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Burnley (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Burnley said in a statement of their own (www.birminghammail.co.uk)