Baroness guitarist recalls terrifying moment tour bus plunged 30ft off bridge
The guitarist of an American heavy metal band has spoken for the first time of the moment the group’s tour bus fell 30ft off a bridge near Bath.
Baroness musician John Baizley has described in detail the moment of impact and how he was thrown from his seat during the crash, which happened on the A36 at Monkton Combe in August.
The band’s tour bus left the A36 close to its junction with Brassknocker Hill and plummeted 30ft as the band was travelling from Bristol to Southampton after performing in the west country city.
Mr Baizley suffered a broken arm and leg, and spent two weeks in the Royal United Hospital. He has only just been allowed to fly back to the States.
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In a statement on the band’s website, Mr Baizley said: “I remember the sound of the air brakes failing, and the panicked cursing of our driver as we slowly realised how desperate the situation was. I tried as hard as I could to yell and wake everyone up to prepare for impact.”
The guitarist, who underwent an eight-hour surgery to repair the seven breaks in his left arm, said despite nerve damage, he had regained the use of his arm and hand, and has attempted to play his guitar again.
He added: “This accident has inflicted an injury which has left its mark on the band: physically, mentally and spiritually. In order to rehabilitate ourselves fully, we must work towards and then past the goals we had prior to the accident.”
Drummer Allen Blickle and bassist Matt Maggioni, who were left with fractured vertebrae, and guitarist Pete Adams, who escaped with more minor injuries, have also returned to America.
Mr Baizley said Baroness would be back on tour as soon as possible.
He said: “It isn’t going to happen next week nor will it be next month. But it will happen. We will be back on tour as soon as we possibly can.”
The cause of the crash, which happened on the morning of Wednesday, August 15, is still being investigated.
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