SOUL singers The Drifters had an amazing escape today after a motorway crash.

The band were travelling from a gig in Newcastle when they were involved in a crash on the M1 near Catcliffe, Sheffield.

The band - Peter Lamarr, Victor Bynoe, Rohan Turney and Patrick Alan - were all taken to Rotherham District General hospital by ambulance, South Yorkshire Police said.

Alan sustained a head injury and was detained for observation while the others returned to London.

They were all treated for whiplash and Turney dislocated his shoulder.

Speaking from hospital, Alan said: "I woke up and there was a car stalled in the fast lane and then the airbag exploded. That's when I got knocked out.

"I have a slight concussion but I'll be all right. I need to be on stage on Thursday."

The accident happened at 12.45am after a Skoda Felicia reportedly swerved to avoid an animal on the road.

The car then collided with crash barriers and came to rest in the outside lane.

Its 21-year-old driver escaped from his vehicle to the hard shoulder before a Chrysler Voyager, carrying the band, collided with his car.

The driver of the Chrysler suffered cuts and a chest injury.

Pc John Scruby of the Road Policing Group said: "It is astonishing we are not dealing with a fatal collision."