NEWPORT County fans had a lucky escape after their coach was involved in a crash on the way back from Carlisle over the weekend.

Several fans suffered cuts and bruises, with some people also in shock and others treated by paramedics at the scene, but there were no serious injuries from the collision on Saturday night.

James Watts, commercial manager at Newport County AFC, said the collision occurred just outside Stafford and involved a car and a van.

The front of the coach, which was being run by Newport County Supporters' Club, was involved in the three-vehicle collision on the M5.

“There were a few cuts and bruises, with a few people having cuts to their wrists, and one gentleman had a gash to his head, but there was nothing serious,” he said.

"Club president David Hando also injured his wrist.

“It could have been a lot worse.”

He said that they stayed at the scene for around an hour and a half as the emergency services investigated the crash, before continuing their journey home and arriving in Newport at around midnight.

The front of the coach was dented by the collision, but was deemed safe enough to drive home.

"The engine was in the back of the coach so it was okay to drive," he added

“After we left the accident we stopped at the services just so everyone could have a break before we carried on."

After the collision fans took to social media to wish everyone a safe journey home.

Around 40 fans were on the 52-seater as it made its way back on the 282-mile trip.

The fans had been celebrating the club’s first win of the season, as they beat Carlisle 1-0 with a debut goal from Tyler Blackwood.

Blackwood, who only signed on loan from QPR on Thursday, found the net with a second-half header.

The club’s next match is at Rodney Parade against Crawley on Tuesday night (7.45pm).