Bestival benefit gig to be held in Liverpool for victims of A3 bus crash

Surrey Police said the coach, which was travelling at full capacity, careered off the road and made ‘significant impact with a tree’. (Getty)

Bestival organisers are to hold a benefit concert in honour of those killed and injured in a bus crash as they returned from the Isle of Wight music festival last year.

A coach hit a tree on the A3 at Hindhead on 10 September, resulting in the deaths of the driver and two passengers. An additional 50 people were injured.

Bestival co-organiser Rob Da Bank said he was “devastated by what happened” and hopes the 30 March benefit gig at Liverpool club Nation will “raise lots of money for those affected”.

Surrey Police said the coach, which was travelling at full capacity, careered off the road and made ‘significant impact with a tree’.

Reports at the time described how many of those on board during were asleep as the coach travelled north after crossing by ferry from the Isle of Wight to Portsmouth. A fleet of ambulances was used to bring the injured to six hospitals across south England.

The driver, 60-year-old Colin Daulby, of Merseyside, and two passengers, Kerry Lynne Ogden, 23, of Maghull, Liverpool, and, Michael Molloy, 18, from Woolton, south Liverpool, were declared dead at the scene.

A Bestival spokeswoman told the BBC that one passenger had been left “with life-changing injuries and many others involved were also affected”. The organisation wants to "do everything we could to show that [the victims] are in our hearts and minds," she said.

The charity event called Bestival Benefit will be held in Liverpool in honour of the three dead who all came from the city and Merseyside area.

The full line-up is yet to be announced but the Cuban Brothers have been confirmed.

"We've been working to get an event set up to show some love and hopefully raise lots of money for those affected and their families and we're pleased it's in the home town of many of those involved; Liverpool," said Rob da Bank.

"Thanks to everyone who has rallied round and contributed to making this event happen - everyone from the DJs and live bands, to the venue Nation who are donating their time and services for free so please get the date in your diary and prepare to party for a very good cause. See you on the dancefloor."

Tickets will cost £16.25 with proceeds going to charities chosen by the families of those who died.