Carrowdore bus crash investigation ongoing as Education Authority issues update on multi-agency response

The scene on Ballyblack Road East in Co. Down where a Translink bus is recovered from a field after it crashed on October 7.
-Credit: (Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)


Education officials say a coordinated multi-agency response is continuing following a major incident earlier this month after a double-decker bus carrying students crashed in Co Down.

The bus was carrying the pupils to Bangor when it crashed and ended up on its side in a field on Ballyblack Road East near Newtownards on the afternoon of Monday, 7th October

Two children were rescued from the bus by firefighters using specialist cutting equipment. Four children were taken by ambulance to hospital and more than 40 were treated in the emergency department of the Ulster Hospital.

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The incident, which involved 76 pupils from Strangford Integrated College and the driver, has been a distressing experience for all those affected, according to the Education Authority (EA).

In a statement on Friday morning, the EA issued an update on the multi-agency response to the incident. The initial emergency response, led by the PSNI has transitioned to a recovery phase led by the EA.

They said a multi-agency group, including representatives from the PSNI, Resilience Team, Education Authority, Strangford Integrated College, Translink, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Ards and North Down Borough Council continue to meet regularly to coordinate support efforts.

Strangford Integrated College, working closely with the Education Authority's Critical Incident Response Team, has been providing emotional support to the young people impacted.

A PSNI investigation into the circumstances of the collision is ongoing, and the Education Authority and Translink are liaising closely in relation to transport arrangements.

A spokesperson for the multi-agency response group said: "Our thoughts remain with all the pupils, their families, and friends affected by this incident. We wish them the very best in their recovery and want to assure them that support will continue to be available in the coming days and weeks.

“We would like to thank in particular the Principal, leadership team, staff and wider school community of Strangford Integrated College for their unwavering support to all young people impacted by the incident.”

A number of support resources have also been developed by the South Eastern Trust and may be of assistance – go to https://setrust.hscni.net/service/clinical-psychology- and-psychological-therapies/ under the ‘Coping after a frightening and distressing event’ section and video guides.

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