Four people have been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a school bus crash in Co Down, including two passengers who were freed from the vehicle by firefighters with cutting equipment.
The single-vehicle collision happened on the Ballyblack Road East in the Carrowdore area of the Ards Peninsula shortly before 4pm on Monday afternoon.
The Ulsterbus service was carrying pupils home to Bangor from Strangford Integrated College.
Following the crash, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared a major incident, with paramedics being tasked to the scene, along with the Charity Air Ambulance and firefighters with five fire appliances and a specialist rescue team with cutting equipment.
It was initially reported that around 70 people were on board the double-decker bus, but the figure was revised to 43 passengers along with the driver.
Following initial assessment, four people were taken to hospital for further treatment.
“The remainder have either been, or are in the process of being assessed with a view to discharging at the scene,” an NIAS spokesperson said on Monday evening, adding it was an “ongoing incident”.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust declared a major incident following the crash relating to the Ulster Hospital.
A spokesperson said the major incident had ended by Monday evening.
Police said the Ballyblack Road East remained closed on Monday evening, with diversions in place for motorists.
A PSNI spokesperson said a casualty centre had been set up at Strangford Integrated College, and that NIAS staff treated and discharged 33 people at the scene.
“Four children were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” they added.
“Several patients have also self-presented at the Ulster Hospital. The Ballyblack Road will remain closed for some time while police conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the collision. Diversions remain in place.”
The spokesperson said the Education Authority would be working with Strangford Integrated College in the coming days “to provide support for any children impacted” by the crash.
A spokesperson for Translink said it was assisting the PSNI with their investigations.
“Our thoughts are with all those involved in this incident,” they added.
Among pupils travelling on the bus was year 8 pupil Dylan Lee.
The 12-year-old rang his mother immediately after the crash happened.
“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,” he told the Press Association.
His mother, Stacy Lee, said: “I could hear him screaming that he had crashed and I could hear all the kids in the background screaming. It was awful.”
Dylan described how a rescuer smashed the bus windows with a hammer to get the pupils out.
“I was crawling under stuff like railings and school bags and stuff. It was on its side in the field,” he added.
In a social media post, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said on Monday he was “deeply concerned” about the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and their families, and with the emergency services who are on the scene,” he said.
Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt thanked emergency crews and healthcare staff involved in treating those injured.
“I know I am speaking for the entire community in expressing my gratitude for the fast and efficient way in which they responded, and for their expertise and professionalism,” he said.
DUP Ards and North Down councillor, Alderman Robert Adair, told The Irish News the community was praying for all those involved in the crash.
“This has been a desperately worrying situation for families of all those involved in the crash, and we are continuing to pray for the full recovery of everyone who has been injured. I would also urge everyone to avoid the area and to allow the emergency services to continue their work.
“I would also like to thank the emergency services for responding to this very serious situation so quickly.”
