Peace Foundation seeks terror survivors

WARRINGTON’S Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace is trying to trace survivors of the horrific M62 coach bombing in time for a special ceremony to commemorate those who lost their lives in the atrocity 35 years ago.
Other people involved in the incident – including emergency services and people who stopped to help the victims – are also being invited to the ceremony to be held at the Hartshead Moor Service Area.
A plaque to commemorate those who lost their lives will be re-dedicated.
The ceremony will be on February 4 – exactly 35 years from when 12 people lost their lives in the explosion.
Nine were off-duty soldiers and two were children and they were all among about 50 people aboard the coach travelling from Manchester to an army base at Catterick in North Yorkshire
The Foundation is joining the bereaved families of the men, women and children who lost their lives, in trying to find survivors members of the Emergency Services, passersby who stopped to help and anyone else to pass details of the ceremony.
Mo Norton, who lost her brother Terence Griffin in the bombing, is taking part in the Foundation’s “Survivors for Peace” Programme.
Five years ago, on the 30th anniversary of the atrocity, Mrs Norton was devastated when she discovered commemoration service had been held at the service station in West Yorkshire without herself and the rest of her family being informed.
Mrs Norton, who now lives in Wigan, has recently championed the re-siting of the original 1974 plaque, to a more appropriate spot at the services, where it will be easier for the families and friends to pay their respects.
She said; “I would like to make sure that everyone affected by the bomb is able to attend the event next month. It has taken us a long time to trace the families, and I have only recently been given the names of those who survived the bomb.
“I wouldn’t want anyone else find out about the event after it has happened, as it was a shock when that happened to us five years ago.
“I know that it might not be an easy day for those who survived, but we would really appreciate any help to find those who were there on the night, whether they were on the coach or who helped in any way. We are not only commemorating the event, but celebrating the lives of those who died by the planting of an English oak tree, so that we can remember them. We hope that it will be a fitting tribute”
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Jo Dover at the Foundation on 01925 581231 if they have information on the whereabouts of survivors.