A major incident has been declared in Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland, following a crash involving a school bus, said to be carrying around 70 youngsters
A bus carrying approximately 70 schoolchildren has crashed on a rural road this afternoon.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Servce (NIAS) said it is dealing with a “major incident” involving a bus with up to 70 passengers in County Down. No other vehicles were involved in the smash, which reportedly led to the bus careering off the road. An air ambulance has been dispatched, though it is understood around 50 patients are “walking wounded”.
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.”
A local journalist posted on X: “Bus with up to 70 people on board has overturned in a field in Carrowdore, Co Down. Over 50 people are walking wounded. Eight patients requiring medical treatment. Multiple resources at the scene. Air ambulance has been dispatched.”
It is believed the bus overturned and ended up sidewards in a field beside the rural road near Strangford, a small village approximately 30 miles from Belfast. Authorities are now warning people to avoid the area and roads are closed.
A police spokesperson said: “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.”
A specialist rescue team is at the scene of the bus crash. 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.”
Colin McGrath, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Down, and Health spokesperson for the government, has shared his thoughts for all involved in the incident.
He said: ‘I hope that everyone is ok at this incident. Large numbers involved and NIAS will be stretched – please heed their advice and also avoid the area. Thinking of all involved.’
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