PALMA
TWO members of popular British band The Pocketmen are recovering in hospital after they were involved in a horrific frontal collision with another car just outside the Son Castello industrial estate in Palma on Sunday.
Mat Nash, Richie Clark and Philip Dawson were on their way to record their new album in their premises in Son Castello at about 2pm when an Opel Kadett crossed the centre of the dual carriageway near the Son Fuster Vell metro station, smashing into the band's right-hand drive Mitsubishi Space Wagon.
All three were brought to hospital in Palma.
Richie, originally from Stockport, was the most badly injured as he was sitting in the front passenger seat when the Opel Kadett smashed into the front of the Mitsubishi crushing his leg. He also sustained head injuries.
He has been in intensive care in the Clinica Juaneda since the acident and was due to have his leg reset yesterday.
Richie's parents John and Claire have arrived from Britain to be with their son.
Mat, from Leeds, who was driving, was also badly hurt. He spent six hours in surgery in Son Dureta on Sunday night, having his kneecap reconstructed. He also suffered cuts to his face and neck, as well as a fractured hand.
Philip, originally from Dover, who was in the back, walked away from the accident with a minor injury to his hip. He was brought to the Cliníca Planas but was later released. Speaking to the Bulletin yesterday, he said that he was a bit shaken up but not feeling too bad. He said one of the worst moments was having to spend 45 minutes in a room in the Cliníca Planas without knowing what had happened to his two friends.
Recalling Sunday afternoon's accident, he said that the car seemed to come out of nowhere. We were driving in the area of Son Castello. We were about to turn right off the main road. We were approaching traffic lights and slowing down to turn when a car crossed over his line. Mat tried to mount the pavement to get out of the way of the Opel, according to Philip, which had not only crossed onto the other side of the road, but also come across the outer lane on their side of the road to hit them. After the car smashed into the front of the vehicle, Philip could hear Richie shouting. He managed to find a hammer and smash a window to get out. A couple of bystanders helped pull Mat from the car. The fire brigade had to cut Richie out. Philip was fulsome in his praise of the police and firemen at the scene.
Anna McGreevy, a friend of the band, got a phone call from Philip shortly after the accident and was at the Cliníca Juaneda when Richie arrived at the hospital.
We weren't prepared for how serious the accident was. His head was just covered in blood.
The driver of the Opel Kadett escaped with minor injuries and, luckily, a child in the back of the Opel was also uninjured.
Pocketmen drummer Ant Parsons escaped the accident as the drum parts for the band's album had already been recorded.
The rock-pop band, have been gigging around the island for about five years.
Mat, who is studying computer science in Leeds, flies in for gigs, but this time the band had decided to concentrate on recording material for their new album.
He is currently recovering in Son Dureta after his operation.