Schoolchildren escape burning bus on M6

Fifty-nine school children and their teachers escaped a coach that burst into flames as it travelled on a busy motorway.

The incident happened on the M6 northbound at Junction 3a at around 3.40pm on Monday.

Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a senior paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

The coach driver and 13 children were assessed for smoke inhalation.

Four 10 year old girls were taken by ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further assessment, though their conditions are not thought to be serious.

Paramedics have also thanked another coach driver who spotted the issue, stopped at the side of the motorway and helped evacuate the children. He then kept them and their teachers safe on his coach while firefighters dealt with the blaze.

He then took them to the Motorcycle Museum where they were meeting up with a replacement coach to take them on their way.