School bus carrying up to 70 people crashes in Co Down
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
A school bus carrying up to 70 people has crashed in Co Down.
Police and ambulance services attended the scene on the Ballyblack Road East near Carrowdore.
The PSNI described the incident as a “serious road traffic collision”.
Images on social media show the double-decker on its side in a field.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it was “with a major incident at Carrowdore involving a bus with up to 70 passengers”.
It added that it had dispatched “multiple resources” to the scene.
A spokesperson for the NIAS said: “A bus carrying more than 60 passengers has overturned.
“NIAS has dispatched 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.”
The PSNI described the incident as a “serious road traffic collision”.
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.”
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.”
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.”