Oasis stars lucky to be alive

Three members of Oasis are lucky to be alive today after being involved in a head-on car smash in the US.

Singer and songwriter Noel Gallagher, bass player Andy Bell and keyboard player Jay Darlington were taken to hospital yesterday afternoon after their taxi was involved in a collision with another vehicle in Indianapolis during the band's North American tour.

All were treated for shock and cuts and bruises after the crash which happened as they were being driven to a gig.

Noel Gallagher, travelling in the front of the car, suffered heavy facial bruising and seat-belt cuts. Darlington has had his hand strapped and will have to return to hospital today for further treatment. The band's flamboyant lead singer Liam Gallagher was not involved as he was travelling to the concert in another car. Doctors

have ordered the three musicians to rest for 48 hours, to let medication take effect, so the show at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis has been cancelled.

A spokesman for the band said the gig could be rescheduled for later in the year, and discussions about a date would take place today.

He added: "Oasis would like to thank all their fans in Indianapolis for their understanding that the show can't take place this evening, and assure them that every effort will be made to return soon to play the Murat Theater."

The tour spokesman added that he was very relieved that none of the injuries was more serious, with most of the cuts and bruises being caused by air bags and seat-belt burns.

The band's UK spokeswoman told the Standard: "Everyone seems to be fine. Jay has got his hand strapped, but they don't think it is very serious.

"It was quite a big collision but the taxi did have air bags which cushioned the impact. It happened before a show, so obviously that had to be cancelled. We have no other information at the moment but hope to know more later in the day."

She said that she remained hopeful the band would be able to perform their next US gig in Philadelphia on Friday, and added: " They have been instructed to rest for the next 48 hours, but Oasis are the kind of band who try to put this sort of thing quickly behind them and carry on."

There had been setbacks even before the band began the tour in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Noel lost his passport, and it was only the speed of the US Embassy in getting him a new working visa on his spare document which allowed him to travel out on time.

Their opening performance in Fort Lauderdale was hampered when Liam's voice failed part way into the set, during Go Let It Out.

But instead of stopping the show, Noel stepped up in front of the sell-out crowd at the 3,000-capacity, open-air Pompano Beach Amphitheater and took over the two-hour performance, including a seven-song acoustic set. Liam's vocal problems are thought to be the result of the long plane flight to Florida.

The Manchester band are one of the most influential British groups of the last few decades, and have often been compared to the Beatles. Many consider them Britain's biggest band. Their recent album Heathen Chemistry topped the UK charts and hit the US charts at No23 last month.

Noel Gallagher is currently dating PR girl Sara McDonald, though he said last week that she was "too childish" to marry. He did however write a song about her, called This Is Love, on the band's most recent album.

Liam Gallagher is dating ex-All Saints singer Nicole Appleton, who says she will marry him "when the time is right".