Coach overturns on motorway

VIDEO: Our lunchtime report on the M3 coach crash, with passengers' interviews.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service have released a statement about their involvement in the recovery & rescue operation after a coach crash on the M3. The coach was carrying passengers to Southampton ahead of a cruise, when it left the southbound carriageway of the M3 by junction 4 at Fleet.

It happened at around 6.10pm on Sunday 6th January. In response the South East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust sent six ambulances, two HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) vehicles, five single responder cars, one critical care paramedic unit, one HEMS unit and five officers to the scene.

They were also assisted by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Ambulance clinicians and paramedics assessed forty people. Seven people were then treated and taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. While other with a number of others assessed, treated and released at the scene.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have released a statement about last night's coach crash on the M3:

'We can confirm that following the incident on the M3 yesterday evening three casualties were taken to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital's Emergency Department where they were assessed and treated. All patients have now been discharged.'

Sergeant Lyndon Barrett from Hampshire Police speaking to ITV Meridian

The driver of a coach that overturned on the M3 yesterday lost consciousness at the wheel, Hampshire police said.

The accident happened at about 6pm on the southbound carriageway, near Fleet services.

Eight people were taken to hospital, one seriously injured with a fractured bone.

Passengers on the Dutch-registered coach were were travelling to Southampton to begin a cruise.

Eight people are in hospital after a coach overturned on the M3 this evening.

The coach overturned, a mile away from Fleet Services at around 6pm.

The vehicle, which is Dutch registered, was carrying around 26 passengers. None are thought to be seriously injured.

The coach passengers were being taken to Southampton and were due to go on a cruise.

It's believed the accident happened after the driver became ill at the wheel.

The carriageway was closed from junction 4a to 5 whilst the passengers are evacuated and the coach recovered.

Emergency services are still trying to extricate passengers after a coach crash on the M3 in Hampshire.

Police have now confirmed that 26 people were on the Dutch registered coach, five have been taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be serious.

Police have now confirmed that 26 people were on the coach, five have been taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be serious.