Munich survival tales at tribute

Two survivors of the 1958 Munich plane crash which claimed the life of Black Country footballer Duncan Edwards visited the region for a special evening in his honour.

Kenny Morgan and Albert Scanlon were at the Cross Sports Bar, in Oldswinford, Stourbridge, last night to remember the Dudley-born footballing great.

They shared their memories of Duncan and the fateful night of February 6 1958 when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway in Munich.

On board the plane were the Manchester United Football team, dubbed the "Busby Babes", on their way home from a European game in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Seven of the team – Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam "Billy" Whelan – were killed instantly.

Duncan Edwards died two weeks later, aged 21.

Mr Morgan, a Welsh right-winger, played with Edwards for one season in the youth team and then in the first team.

He said: "Duncan used to play centre-forward for the youth team. We used to play with a leather ball in those days and he used to take corners and free-kicks as well because he could kick it further than anyone else.

"Duncan was a brilliant player, I think he would have been one of the world's greatest. He was so strong, he could hit it left foot, right foot.

"He played everywhere but I think he was best at wing-half because he was so good in the air."

Morgan was one of the lucky ones, escaping the crash with just minor injuries at the age of 18.

The Welshman was found, still unconscious, five hours after the crash by a couple of German reporters who returned to the plane to try and find a film reel.

"I always think every day how lucky I am. It took me a long time to get over it."

Fellow winger and Manchester-born Mr Scanlon also survived the crash – but only just.

The then 22-year-old suffered a fractured skull, a broken leg and kidney problems as a result of the crash and his memory is not as clear as Morgan's.

"I don't remember anything until the point I woke up in hospital," he said.

"Its not until after that you start thinking about things.

"We got out of it well but we realise how lucky we were too. We will never forget them."