A serious road traffic collision involving a school bus has left four people injured, with multiple children initially trapped inside the vehicle.
The incident occurred on the Ballyblack Road East in County Down, Northern Ireland, when the double-decker bus carrying 44 people careened off the road and overturned, ending up sideways in a field.
The scene was described as “like a battlefield” by witnesses, with children seen helping to pull their classmates out of the wreckage. The bus’s windscreen was shattered, and one child was reported to have had their arm trapped.
Dylan Lee, a 12-year-old pupil at Strangford Integrated College, was on the top deck of the bus when it crashed. He told the BBC that the bus hit a post before stalling and rolling down a hill. He added that a man with a hammer smashed the windows to allow passengers to escape.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared the incident a “major emergency” and dispatched multiple resources, including doctors, emergency crews, advanced paramedics, and the Air Ambulance with a HEMS crew on board.
Eight people were treated for significant injuries at the scene, with over 50 others suffering minor injuries. Four patients will require hospital treatment, and the rest will be discharged at the scene.
The chief executive of Translink, Northern Ireland’s public transport provider, said the company is assisting police with their investigation.
Local residents and politicians have expressed their concern and sympathies for those involved, with many raising concerns about the road’s safety in the past.
A specialist rescue team is at the scene, and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it is working closely with the PSNI and other emergency services to respond to the incident.
The local hospital trust has asked patients who do not require emergency treatment to seek alternative services this evening, as hospitals are expected to be busy with crash patients.
The incident is under investigation, and the cause of the crash is not yet known.
Conclusion:
The serious road traffic collision involving a school bus in Northern Ireland has left four people injured and has raised concerns about the road’s safety. The incident highlights the importance of proper road safety measures and the need for emergency services to be prepared for such incidents.
FAQs:
Q: How many people were injured in the incident?
A: Four people were injured, with eight requiring hospital treatment.
Q: How many children were on the bus?
A: The bus was carrying 44 people, including children.
Q: What happened to the bus?
A: The bus careened off the road and overturned, ending up sideways in a field.
Q: How is the investigation proceeding?
A: The incident is under investigation, and the cause of the crash is not yet known.
Q: What support is being offered to those affected?
A: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and other emergency services are providing medical treatment to those injured, and local authorities are offering support and assistance to families and friends of those affected.