School children injured after bus crash in Carrowdore

A bus carrying more than 40 school children has crashed in County Down.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared it as a "major incident", which it has since stood down.

The incident happened on the Ballyblack Road East on Monday afternoon. Emergency services and a specialist rescue team attended the scene

Following the incident, the PSNI issued a multi-agency update.

"On Monday 7 October an Ulsterbus containing pupils from Strangford College and a bus driver overturned on the Ballyblack Road East Newtownards. "Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared a major incident and deployed numerous resources and specialist assets.

"Five Fire Appliances as well as police attended the scene. Firefighters using specialist cutting equipment rescued two casualties from the bus and provided support to NIAS for a number of other casualties."A casualty centre was set up at the school for a period of time but all children have now left the scene of the collision. All were either taken home by parents or guardians or transported to hospital."NIAS treated and discharged 33 people at the scene. Four children were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Several patients have also self-presented at the Ulster Hospital."The Ballyblack Road will remain closed for some time while police conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the collision. Diversions remain in place."The Education Authority will be working with the school in the coming days to provide support for any children impacted by today’s events."

A Translink spokesperson said: “We can confirm an Ulsterbus service carrying school pupils from Strangford College to Bangor has been involved in an incident on the Ballyblack Road East near Newtownards at just after 4pm this afternoon.

"No other vehicles were involved in this incident. Emergency services were called to the scene.

“NIAS assessed and treated 43 pupils at the scene plus the driver, with four of the pupils taken to hospital for further treatment.

“Translink is assisting the PSNI with their investigations. Our thoughts are with all those involved in this incident”.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt praised the response of emergency service crews and hospital staff.

He said: “This has been a shocking incident and my thoughts this evening are with all of those affected and their families. I am receiving regular updates.

“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the emergency crews attending the scene and to the hospital staff caring for those who have been injured.

“I know I am speaking for the entire community in expressing my gratitude for the fast and efficient way in which they responded, and for their expertise and professionalism. I am proud of everyone involved in responding to the major incident today.”

Alex Easton MP for North Down said: "I am deeply concerned about learning of the very serious incident involving a double-decker school bus carrying more than 40 passengers that overturned on Ballyblack Road East in Newtownards.

"This is a truly frightening event, and my thoughts and prayers are with all those involved, especially the pupils from Strangford College, their families, and the bus driver.

"I want to thank the emergency services, including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Police Service of Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who are working tirelessly at the scene.

"It is vital that there is a full and thorough investigation into this incident to ensure we understand exactly what happened and to prevent anything like this from occurring in the future. I will be following this situation closely and offering any support I can to those affected."

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