Gillingham car crash involving Macauley Bonne, Tim Dieng and George Lapslie purely an accident says team manager Neil Harris

Gillingham manager Neil Harris has commented on a car crash that involved several of his players.

Footage of Thursday morning’s smash in Woodlands Road, Gillingham, was widely shared on social media, after a BMW driven by striker Macauley Bonne hit a wall and a parked car.

The Gills declined to comment on the incident in the week but manager Neil Harris addressed it during his post-match interview after the 3-0 defeat to Colchester United.

“It is a real shame and firstly the players are okay,” he said. “That is the main thing.

“I have seen the video clip, where it doesn’t look great, that he’s lost control, but having spoke to eye witnesses myself and police and all the players involved, the problem was the car, not the driver, which is pleasing for me to be able to say.

“However, it is just a reminder to all of us that we have to be careful and make sure we look after our community as well. I reminded the players of that but everyone is safe and it was just a pure accident.

“I spoke to the neighbours who had any damage and they are really understanding and what we have to do is make sure there is no sideshow to it or no stupid reaction from everybody, purely an accident, and everyone is safe. We put that to bed and move on.”

Bonne, who was giving his team-mates a lift to training when the accident happened, featured for the Gills in the weekend clash as did Tim Dieng, who was also in the car. George Lapslie, a passenger, wasn’t involved, out injured.

Police attended and reported that there were no injuries.