Belfast school bus crash LIVE: Major incident as vehicle overturns with 43 kids onboard
A major incident has been declared and police have advised motorists to find an alternative route for their journeys.
Emergency services rushed to Newtownards, a town in County Down, on the afternoon of October 7 following reports of an overturned vehicle.
Initial reports suggested the vehicle overturned on the Ballyblack Road East area was a school bus carrying as many as 70 passengers. A statement issued around 6pm by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service clarified: "Following a Road Traffic Incident this afternoon in the Carrowdore area, the Northern Ireland Ambulance declared a Major Incident, based on the number of resources required to attend the incident.
"Initial reports indicated that approximately 70 people were on board the bus. This figure has been revised to 43 and a driver. NIAS has assessed and treated patients at the scene, with four currently requiring further treatment at hospital. The remainder have either been, or are in the process of being assessed with a view to discharging at the scene. As this remains an ongoing incident, NIAS will provide further updates as appropriate."
A major incident was declared and police have advised motorists to find an alternative route for their journeys as officers attend the "one vehicle road traffic collision".
An early statement by the police read: "Motorists are advised to avoid the Ballyblack Road East in Newtownards, as police and colleagues from the emergency services are currently at the scene of a one vehicle road traffic collision. There are diversions in place. Please seek an alternative route for your journey."
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Northern Ireland Secretary "deeply concerned"
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn took to X to express his deepest concerns.
He said: "I am deeply concerned to hear about the school bus crash in Newtownards.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and their families, and with the emergency services who are on the scene."
"Really harrowing experience"
Strangford MP Jim Shannon called todays incident a "really harrowing experience for these children.”
He added: "While the injuries may not be life-threatening, we are still not aware to what extent people have been hurt and I would ask people to be mindful of that.”
Witness,12, describes crawling on overturned bus
Dylan Lee, 12, a pupil at Strangford Integrated College, described what happened.
"The bus hit a post and it started to stall and went down this hill," he said.
Dylan said a man with a hammer smashed the windows so the children could escape.
"I was crawling under stuff like railings and school bags and stuff. It was on its side in the field," he added.
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service statement
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service this evenining said: "Following a Road Traffic Incident this afternoon in the Carrowdore area, the Northern Ireland Ambulance declared a Major Incident, based on the number of resources required to attend the incident.
"Initial reports indicated that approximately 70 people were on board the bus. This figure has been revised to 43 and a driver."NIAS has assessed and treated patients at the scene, with four currently requiring further treatment at hospital. The remainder have either been, or are in the process of being assessed with a view to discharging at the scene.
"As this remains an ongoing incident, NIAS will provide further updates as appropriate."
Bus "hit a pole"
One witness told the Belfast Live that "the bus hit a pole or post before shuddering and toppling over down an embankment".
The witness described noise, darkness and most people on board being injured.
Two children were trapped on the bus
It is understood one child was trapped on the bus after their arm became stuck and another as a result of their leg being stuck.
All children have now been removed from the bus and there are no reports of any fatalities.
43 pupils and a driver on board
It is believed 43 pupils and a driver were on board the bus which overturned along a rural road.
Four people have sustained serious injuries and are being taken to hospital, according to BBC News who called the scene "alarming".
Some of the other passengers sustained minor injuries but were all discharged at the scene.
People spotted walking on overturned bus
New pictures show people appearing to be walking on the overturned bus.
It is believed the bus was bound for Newtownards when it came off the road and tipped over into a nearby field.
Children pulled out of windows
Children were pulled out of windows of the vehicle which tipped over into a nearby field, reports The Belfast Telegraph.
It is understood the bus was transporting pupils from Strangford College to Newtownards at the time of the crash.
Five fire appliances and the specialist rescue team at scene
Eight patients being treated for significant injuries
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said over 50 of the passengers have minor injuries with eight patients being treated for more significant injuries at the scene.
It despatched multiple resources to the scene including doctors, emergency crews, advanced paramedics, rapid response paramedics, ambulance officers and the air ambulance.
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service statement
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said: "NIAS is currently dealing with a major incident at Carrowdore involving a bus with up to 70 passengers.
"NIAS has despatched multiple resources to the scene. Please only call 999 if your situation is life-threatening while we deal with this incident. More details to follow."
The PSNI described the incident as a "serious road traffic collision".
Smashed double decker bus pictured lying on its side
Pictures from the scene show an Ulster Bus double-decker overturned in a field.
The windscreen of the bus has been completely smashed.
Councillor "praying everyone is safe"
Councillor Pete Wray said he is "praying everyone is safe following this incident involving a school bus on the Ballyblack Road East".
School pupils climbing out of overturned bus
Unverified images being shared on social media show a bus on its side in a field with school pupils climbing out the side. Others are standing in the field.
Major incident declared
A major incident has been declared after a school bus carrying 70 passengers crashed in Northern Ireland.
It is reported that a school bus has overturned on the Ballyblack Road East area near Carrowdore.
Good afternoon
Good afternoon from London. We will be bringing you all the latest developments on the incident in Newtownards.
