Five people in hospital after school bus falls into river

Five people were taken to hospital yesterday after a "terrifying" crash in which a double-decker bus carrying sixth form students left a road and ended up in a river.

- BEN MITCHELL

Police praised the bravery of members of the public and emergency services who helped to rescue some of the students and the driver who were trapped on board the Bluestar bus following the accident in Bishopsstoke Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Emergency services were alerted following the crash at just before 10am, with a total of 20 people including the driver on board.

The passengers were all students on their way to Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, police said.

Inspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said that five people were taken to hospital for treatment.

A force spokesperson confirmed that two people – the driver and a passenger – had suffered injuries that were serious but not "life-threatening".

The bus was carrying a driver and 19 students (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Mr Tester said: "It must have been terrifying and my thoughts are very much with the children and the driver on the bus, who must have had a terrifying experience."

He added that several people, including the driver, were trapped on board when emergency services arrived.