Oasis pull out of US gig after band members are hurt in head-on car crash

The rock group Oasis postponed a concert on their American tour last night after Noel Gallagher and two other band members were hurt in a head-on car crash.

Gallagher, the band's songwriter, was in the front of a taxi when it crashed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was taken to hospital with a bruised face, whiplash and seat-belt burns.

Andy Bell, the bass player and Jay Darlington, a temporary keyboard player, were also taken to hospital and the band pulled out of the show at the city's Murat Theatre after doctors ordered them to rest. The group were scheduled to play a sold-out concert in Philadelphia tomorrow.

The band's spokeswoman said: "Everyone seems to be absolutely fine. It was a big collision but the taxi did have air-bags, which cushioned the impact." The gig would be rescheduled, she added. Noel's brother, Liam, who was not in the taxi, said: "I spoke to [Noel] on the phone and he's just bruised up and stuff, you know what I mean, shaken ... He turned back, looked up, and it all happened."

Attempts by Oasis to break into the US market appear ill-fated. On previous tours there were walk-outs and their latest tour had a difficult start. Last week, Noel lost his passport and Liam lost his voice before the first show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On another tour in 2000, Noel briefly quit playing after a punch-up with a drunk Liam. On the European leg of the same tour, a concert in Barcelona had to be rescheduled after Alan White, the drummer, got tendonitis. A performance in Switzerland was cut short when missiles were thrown at the band.

The members hurt in Indianapolis have been ordered to rest for at least two days. Darlington, a former member of Kula Shaker, has his hand strapped up and has been asked to return to hospital.

Peggy, the Gallaghers' mother, said the three had taken the taxi to go shopping. "Noel was a bit shaken up because he got seat-belt bruises but thank God he was wearing a seatbelt."