Injured drummer: Crash 'not scary'

McMurray (second left) showed few signs of ill health

The drummer with rock band Ash has spoken for the first time about the bus crash in which he suffered cracked ribs.

Rick McMurray, who presented a prize with his bandmates at the Kerrang! Awards on Tuesday, said he felt "damaged".

It was a bit touch and go whether we would do it, but I'm glad we did

Rick McMurray on the Reading Festival

"I'm slightly on the mend," he told BBC News Online. "My ribs are still hurting a bit."

McMurray, 27, together with bassist Mark Hamilton, singer Tim Wheeler and guitarist Charlotte Hatherley presented the best album award to Hundred Reasons at the London ceremony on Tuesday.

But he said the collision, which happened while the band were in their tour bus on the way to a gig in the United States, "wasn't scary in the slightest".

"I just woke up to find Charlotte lying on top of me and that was it," he added.

The group, whose hits include Envy and Shining Light, made a late decision to play the Reading Festival on Saturday after a doctor told McMurray that he could only play for 10 minutes.

The band played an impressive set at Reading

But they completed a full set, with bassist Mark Hamilton forced to wear a neck brace for the show.

"It was a bit touch and go whether we would do it, but I'm glad we did," McMurray said.

"It was very enjoyable and great to be sharing a stage with the Foo Fighters."

McMurray praised Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl, who went from being Nirvana drummer to finding success as singer and guitarist with his latest band.

The Foo Fighters were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame at the ceremony.

"Dave Grohl has been around for a long time - he deserves it," McMurray said.