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M62 bomb blast memorial unveiled M62 bomb blast memorial unveiled
(about 11 hours later)
A new memorial is being unveiled for 12 people, including two young children, who were killed in a coach bombing on the M62 in West Yorkshire 35 years ago. A new memorial has been unveiled for 12 people, including two young children, who were killed in a coach bombing on the M62 in West Yorkshire 35 years ago.
A ceremony was being held at Hartshead Moor service station, near Bradford, about a mile from where the IRA bomb exploded on 4 February 1974. A ceremony was attended by about 500 people at Hartshead Moor services, near Bradford, about a mile from where the IRA bomb exploded on 4 February 1974.
A new plaque was being dedicated to commemorate the victims. A new plaque has been dedicated to commemorate the victims.
The coach was taking soldiers and their families from Manchester to Catterick in North Yorkshire when it exploded.The coach was taking soldiers and their families from Manchester to Catterick in North Yorkshire when it exploded.
Among those who died were Cpl Clifford Haughton, his wife Linda and their sons Lee, five, and Robert, two.Among those who died were Cpl Clifford Haughton, his wife Linda and their sons Lee, five, and Robert, two.
The blast also injured 38 other people on the coach.The blast also injured 38 other people on the coach.
'Sign of hope''Sign of hope'
Around 500 people, including relatives of the victims, survivors of the bombing and dignitaries, were expected to attend the ceremony on Wednesday - the 35th anniversary of the bombing. The hundreds who attended the ceremony on Wednesday, the 35th anniversary of the bombing, included relatives of the victims, survivors of the bombing and dignitaries.
Martin Watkins, county manager for the Royal British Legion in Manchester, which organised the ceremony, said the new plaque would be set in a piece of Yorkshire stone. Martin Watkins, county manager for the Royal British Legion in Manchester, which organised the ceremony, said the new plaque was set in a piece of Yorkshire stone.
He said an oak tree was being be planted as "a sign of hope for the future". He said an oak tree was being planted as "a sign of hope for the future".
An original plaque, located inside the service station, has been moved to the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester. An original plaque, located inside the service station, was moved to the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester.
Relatives of those who died felt the old memorial was not in an appropriate place as it was in the corner of a shop surrounded by merchandise.Relatives of those who died felt the old memorial was not in an appropriate place as it was in the corner of a shop surrounded by merchandise.
Mo Norton, whose brother Terence Griffin died in the bombing, said the new plaque outside would make it easier for families and friends to pay their respects. During the dedication service, the Bishop of Wakefield Steven Platton told the assembled crowd: "It is a most unusual and tragic event that we remember."
She campaigned for the plaque at the Welcome Break service station to be moved to a more "dignified" area. Survive
Mrs Norton, from Wigan, said: "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. He said: "Today we look forward, not backwards. We do pray for those who died but we pray too for hope for a less violent world."
"We hope that will be a fitting tribute." Survivor Nigel Boden, who was 18 when the blast occurred, said: "I think I was very lucky to survive.
"I wouldn't be here and my children wouldn't be here.
"It's very important to remember that you survived and other people didn't."
Mr Boden, from Rochdale, added: "When you say 35 years ago, it sounds like a long time but in reality, to us, it's not that long ago.
"It's something I'll never forget."
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Bomb plaque to be rededicatedBomb plaque to be rededicated