Death crash bus driver arrested

The minibus had been in collision with a van on the northbound carriageway

The driver of a minibus which crashed killing a teenager and injuring eight others has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The crash happened between junctions 31 and 32 of the M1 as a group of 16 to 18-year-olds returned to Sheffield from a football tournament in Italy.

Ahmed Hassan, 18, was killed and two youths aged 16 and 17 were badly hurt. Six others suffered minor injuries.

The 40-year-old driver, from Sheffield, was arrested and released on bail.

Police said Mr Hassan was from the Firth Park area of Sheffield.

The youths were from a Sheffield-based community project called Football Unites, Racism Divides (Furd).

'Condolences and prayers'

They had returned to the UK with their supervisors after taking part in the Mondiali Antirazzisti (Anti-Racist World Cup) in Bologna in Italy.

They returned on Monday and were travelling back to Sheffield from East Midlands Airport when the accident happened just before 1440 BST.

South Yorkshire Police said their minibus was in collision with a Mercedes van travelling in the same direction.

Howard Holmes, project coordinator of Furd, said: "Everyone at Furd is devastated by this news.

"Our thoughts, condolences and prayers are with all the families of the young people involved."

Part of the northbound carriageway of the motorway was closed after the accident, and re-opened at 1900 BST.