Sister of hen party crash victim faces battle to walk again

Amy Jones, 25, was one of 19 women injured when the minibus was involved in a collision with a lorry on the M62 near Pontefract on Friday April 19.

The accident happened as the women travelled from South Elmsall near Pontefract to Liverpool for a hen night.

Bethany and Amy’s brother Ryan Jones, 28, said Amy is in Pinderfields Hospital at Wakefield, where she is being treated for a shattered pelvis.

He said the family hope she would only be in hospital for another week before being transferred to the rehabilitation centre at Pontefract Hospital to help her learn to walk again.

He said: “It could be another two months before she can walk again, she is having to learn everything again, it’s like a baby learning to sit up and walk. She is doing OK, but we just want her home.”

Mr Jones thanked the South Elmsall community for their support. “Beth was a popular girl and a lot of people knew her so I thought there would be a lot of support but I never thought the response would be this big. It is really overwhelming to know that so many people want to help. It’s been brilliant. We are so grateful.”

A variety of fundraising events have been held across the district for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as well as the newly-formed Beth’s Angels Community Fund charity, which will help the families of the women involved.

A charity football match is taking place at Frickley Football Club, Westfield Lane, South Elmsall, on Sunday, July 7. Former football stars including Lee Sharpe, John Sheridan and Jan Molby will take on a team from the town.

It will cost £30 per man to play 30 minutes of football. Kick-off is at 3pm, and the match will be followed by a question and answer session with the footballers. Visit www.bethsangels.co.uk for more charity events or to donate.

And Pontefract and South East Neighbourhood Policing Teams have teamed up with Roads Policing to organise a police and community charity football match at Minsthorpe Sports Centre, Minsthorpe Lane, South Elmsall, at 1pm on Saturday July 27. All proceeds will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Beth’s Angels Community Fund.

The driver of the lorry was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was released on bail.