Yahoo News Carrowdore school bus crash latest: Four in hospital after vehicle overturns with 43 pupils on board
Four people have been taken to hospital after a school bus carrying more than 40 children overturned in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said the bus crashed in County Down with 43 schoolchildren and one driver onboard, with eight treated at the scene near Carrowdore for their injuries.
Images showed the bus overturned in a field, and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service described it as a major incident, with paramedics, firefighters and police all rushed to the scene.
The mother of a 12-year-old boy on the bus, who sustained an injury to his head and is a pupil at Strangford Integrated College, said she could hear pupils screaming over the phone after the vehicle turned over.
The road is closed and motorists have been asked to avoid the area.
Local SDLP politician Will Polland alleged that concerns had been raised multiple times about the road where the crash occurred.
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Key Points
Four in hospital after school bus crash, paramedics say
Mapped: Where did the crash happen?
Specialist rescue team arrive at the scene
Concerns about road where bus crashed raised multiple times, local SDLP representative says
Public urged to avoid attending Ulster Hospital
Bus provider ‘assisting police with their investigations'
20:53 , Andy Gregory
Northern Ireland's public transport provider Translink has said it is assisting police with their investigations.
The bus had been carrying pupils from Strangford College to Bangor.
More pictures from scene of bus crash
20:28 , Andy Gregory
More pictures have emerged from the scene of the bus crash.
Strangford College principal issues statement to parents
20:01 , Andy Gregory
Shortly after 5pm, the principal at Strangford College issued a message to parents urging them not to make their way to the scene of the crash, Belfast Live reported.
In a statement, Clare Foster reportedly said: “We are currently dealing with an incident involving one of our school buses. Two other buses have been delayed due to this incident but will be leaving soon.
“Please can I ask that parents do not come to the scene as this is causing obstruction with the emergency services.
“An incident desk has been set up at the school and I would ask that any concerned parents attend the incident desk at the College rather than at the scene. An update will follow as soon as possible.”
First minister says ‘heart goes out’ to those involved in crash
19:42 , Andy Gregory
Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill has shared her support for those caught up in the bus crash in County Down.
In a statement on X, Ms O’Neill said: “My heart goes out to everyone injured, their families, and the emergency services who are on the scene in Carrowdore.”
Hospital trust says it is responding to bus crash
19:24 , Andy Gregory
The South Eastern Health Trust said it was responding to the major incident: “Our staff in the emergency department are preparing to treat anyone who needs our care.
“We would ask any patient not requiring emergency care to please use alternative services. If your condition is life-threatening, please visit the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital as normal.”
Footage shows police at scene of bus crash
19:05 , Andy Gregory
Major incident ‘stood down’, ambulance service says
18:50 , Andy Gregory
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it has now “stood down” this afternoon’s major incident.
In a statement, NIAS said: “The service will remain busy for many hours as we deal with the backlog of calls. Please use 999 wisely and be patient if you really need to call us.”
Mother of pupil injured in crash describes hearing children screaming over phone
18:39 , Andy Gregory
The mother of 12-year-old Dylan Lee, a pupil at Strangford Integrated College who was on the top deck of the bus and sustained a head injury in the crash, said she could hear pupils screaming over the phone after the vehicle turned over.
Dylan said: “The bus hit a post and it started to stall and went down this hill. It just started shaking. I closed my eyes and then I opened them and I was on the floor ... The first thing I did when I got up was to phone my mum.”
Stacey Lee said her son had a lump and a cut on his head, adding: “I could hear him screaming that he had crashed and I could hear all the kids in the background screaming. It was awful.”
Dylan said: “Then there was this guy came down with a hammer and the windows were all being smashed so we could get out. I was crawling under stuff like railings and school bags and stuff. It was on its side in the field.”
Four people receiving hospital treatment, paramedics say
18:30 , Andy Gregory
In its latest statement, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said four people are being treated in hospital following the crash.
A NIAS spokesperson said: “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.”
First Ards Presbyterian Church: ‘Our hearts and our prayers go out'
17:59 , Jabed Ahmed
A Facebook post from First Ards Presbyterian Church said they were thinking of everyone involved.
The post continued: “Our hearts and our prayers go out to all the students, families and staff who are affected.
“For those in our youth ministries who go to the school, please know we’re especially holding you close in prayer right now.
“If anyone needs a chat, support, or just someone to listen, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you.”
Pictured: Bus crash on Ballyblack Road East
17:48 , Jabed Ahmed
Concerns about road where bus crashed raised multiple times, local SDLP representative says
17:43 , Jabed Ahmed
Local SDLP representative Will Polland said concerns had been raised multiple times about the road where the crash occurred.
He told the BBC: “First responders were on the scene as quick as possible and we are incredibly grateful for that.
“Our hearts and prayers go out, not just to those who are unfortunately involved, but those who have responded.
“We are keeping everyone in our hearts and minds at this point.”
He added: “This road has had concerns about it raised multiple times.
“I send all my prayers out to everyone involved in the incident.
“It is an absolute tragedy.”
Public urged to avoid attending Ulster Hospital
17:41 , Jabed Ahmed
Members of the public who do not require emergency care have been urged to avoid attending Ulster Hospital as staff deal with people injured in the Carrowdore bus incident.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the South Eastern Trust said the hospital is responding to a major incident involving a bus earlier on Monday afternoon.
“Our staff in the emergency department are preparing to treat anyone who needs our care,” the statement said.
“We would ask any patient not requiring emergency care to please use alternative services. If your condition is life-threatening, please visit the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital as normal.”
17:33 , Jabed Ahmed
Eight people with ‘significant’ injuries and more than 50 with minor injuries
17:28 , Jabed Ahmed
In an updated statement, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said of those on board, more than 50 had sustained minor injuries, or were uninjured, while eight people were being treated at the scene for more significant injuries.
“A bus carrying more than 60 passengers has overturned,” said the statement.
“NIAS has despatched multiple resources to the scene including doctors, emergency crews, advanced paramedics, rapid response paramedics, ambulance officers and the Air Ambulance with HEMS crew on board.
“Over 50 of the passengers have minor injuries, if any, with eight patients being treated for more significant injuries at the scene.
“The situation is ongoing and NIAS will release more information as it becomes available.”
Specialist rescue team arrive at the scene
17:27 , Jabed Ahmed
A specialist rescue team is at the scene of a serious bus crash in Co Down.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: “Five fire appliances and the specialist rescue team are currently at the scene of a road traffic collision involving an overturned bus on the Ballyblack Road East, Newtownards.”
Major incident declared
17:25 , Jabed Ahmed
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Servce (NIAS) said it is dealing with a “major incident” involving a bus with up to 70 passengers in Co Down.
In a social media post, the ambulance service said: “NIAS is currently dealing with a major incident at Carrowdore involving a bus with up to 70 passengers.
“NIAS has dispatched multiple resources to the scene.
“Please only call 999 if your situation is life-threatening while we deal with this incident.”
