A LEIGH couple were lucky to escape with cuts and bruises from a holiday bus crash shortly after arriving in Turkey.

Harold and Muriel Baskeyfield, from Kenhall Road, were the only remaining passengers on a mini-bus which crashed into a coach as it was transporting them from Dalaman airport.

They spent most of the first week of their two week stay undergoing hospital treatment for their injuries.

Mr Baskeyfield suffered a gashed leg, plus back and arm injuries and his wife suffered multiple bruising and a side strain.

Back home this week retired police officer Mr Baskeyfield reflected on what could have been a far more serious outcome:"I had only just moved seats before the crash otherwise I would have gone through the windscreen.

"The mini-bus wasn't fitted with seat belts. If it had been our injuries would not have been as bad.

"Having experienced this crash and seen numerous road accidents during our stay my personal advice to anyone going to Turkey is don't hire a car, the roads are very dangerous."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.