BUS RIDE TERROR; Everton fans in crash on way to match.

Byline: By CATHERINE JONES AND MICHELLE FIDDLER

EVERTON fans endured a 20-minute terror drive after their coach was involved in a motorway crash in Spain. Supporters say they were left with cuts, bruises and whiplash injuries when their coach was involved in the accident on its way to the Champions League clash with Villarreal.

But the Spanish driver refused to stop after the crash and completed the journey despite the windscreen being covered in a crazy paving of cracks.

Furious fans are threatening legal action over the incident, which saw their vehicle crash into the back of another coach en route to Villarreal, causing passengers to be struck by falling bags and bottles.

Hundreds of fans paid pounds 269 a head for flight and coach. The vehicle was carrying passengers from different holiday companies.

Keith Simpson, 50, from New Brighton, and treasurer of the Wallasey branch of the Everton Supporters Club, was one of those injured.

He said: "We were all sitting on the coach, having a laugh when there was this tremendous crash and we hit the back of the coach in front.

"We must have been doing 70mph. The windscreen shattered, there were massive cracks from top to bottom. But the driver just carried on.

"We'd all been shopping and there were bags and bottles on the luggage rack which flew everywhere. I was banged on the back of the head and other people had injuries from being thrown forward."

Mr Simpson confronted the driver when he finally stopped, and said he just "laughed and shrugged". He claims policemen he approached also refused to help.

Michael Keeley, 32, from Roby, spent a day in Whiston hospital after suffering whiplash.

He said: "I've taken legal advice. I had to take a day off work to go to hospital and I'm on strong painkillers.

"I think most people did just want to get to the match, but the driver should have got on to his company so there was someone to meet our coach."

Norman Burrows, 68, from Ainsdale travelled on the coach with son Alan, 37. He said: "I got on a different coach coming back but was told by someone who did get on it that the police were so concerned they would only let them drive at 40mph."

Chester-based Independent Travel had passengers on the coach. Director Tony Welch described the crash as a "slight bump."

He said the company had received only two calls and was not aware of any injuries. Mr Welch said: "The crack was only about eight or 12 inches in the bottom right hand corner and didn't affect the driver

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CRACKED: A fans' view of the coach's damaged windscreen; HURT: Everton fan Keith Simpson, who was injured in the motorway crash in Spain Picture: PAUL HEAPS