One dead and 11 injured in crash

A teenager has died and 11 other people have been injured, two seriously, after their minibus crashed as they returned from a football tournament in Italy.

The 16 to 18 year olds and their supervisors were on their way back to Sheffield when the minibus crashed on the M1.

The youths were from a Sheffield-based community project called Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD).

Two people were airlifted to hospital. Nine others suffered minor injuries.

The youths had arrived back in the UK after taking part in the Mondiali Antirazzisti (Anti-Racist World Cup) in Bologna in Italy.

They returned on Monday and were travelling back to Sheffield from East Midlands Airport when the accident happened.

‘Devastated’

Howard Holmes, project coordinator of FURD, said: “Everyone at FURD is devastated by this news.

“Our thoughts, condolences and prayers are with all the families of the young people involved.”

South Yorkshire Police confirmed one person had died in the accident, which happened about 1440 BST between junctions 31 and 32.

Two people were airlifted to the city’s Northern General Hospital with serious injuries and a further nine people suffered minor injuries in the crash

Police said most of those with minor injuries were taken to the Northern General by ambulance for treatment and check-ups.

Part of the northbound carriageway of the motorway was closed after the accident, and re-opened at 1900 BST.

FURD aims to bring together people from different backgrounds to play, watch and enjoy football without fear of racial abuse.