3 on Willie Nelson’s band bus hurt in Texas wreck, wet road; Nelson not aboard, suspends tour

SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas – Singer Willie Nelson has suspended performances until December after three of his band members were hurt when their bus plowed into a bridge pillar in East Texas during rainy conditions.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says Nelson was not aboard in the weather-related accident around 3:30 a.m. CST Saturday on Interstate 30 near Sulphur Springs, 75 miles (120 kilometres) northeast of Dallas.

Nelson spokeswoman Elaine Schock says Paul English broke his ankle, his brother Billy English suffered a bruise hip and Tom Harkin has a cracked or bruised rib.

Nelson has postponed his four remaining November tour dates: Robinsonville and Jackson, Mississippi; Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Lafayette, Louisiana.

Trooper Sylvia Jennings says seven people were on the westbound bus, including the driver who was dealing with wet roads and high winds.