Rescuer used hammer to free children from overturned bus in Carrowdore

A man who helped rescue children trapped when their school bus overturned in Co Down has described the moment he came across the crash.

Four children were taken by ambulance to hospital and more than 40 were treated in the emergency department of the Ulster Hospital following the incident on the Ballyblack Road East near Carrowdore on Monday afternoon.

Gary Smyth told UTV how he used a hammer from his van to break the bus windows to help free the pupils inside.

He said: “It was quiet until we got down, then we could hear the screams inside the bus. The wee girls and wee fellas were terrified.

“We got a hammer out of the van and we shattered the glass, pulled half of it up and just jumped in and tried to get the kids out.

“It was just on instinct. It’s just something you don’t want to see, you didn’t know what you were walking into and that was the problem.”

The bus was carrying Strangford Integrated College pupils to Bangor when it crashed and ended up on its side in a field.

Education Minister Paul Givan visited the college on Tuesday to offer his support. He said an investigation would now be carried out into the crash.

“I know like many people, when we witnessed the scene, it was a shock for us all but Mrs Foster [school principal Clare Foster] and the school have been living that experience and providing exceptional support to the families and the pupils over the past 24 hours.

“Our thoughts first and foremost are with all the families that have been impacted. It is a parent’s worst nightmare to get a call or to find out on social media that there has been this incident.”

Meanwhile in the Stormont Assembly, Strangford MLA Nick Mathison said is a "miracle" no one was killed in the incident.

"My thoughts are with all those impacted," he said. "It's a miracle we're not dealing with a fatality or fatalities today in our reflections on this issue.

"I think when we all saw the news footage yesterday I think we all feared the worst so we should be very grateful we are not dealing with an absolute tragedy."

Police are investigating the circumstances behind the crash, as a mother of one of the child passengers on the double-decker said she heard pupils screaming in fear when her son called her.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said 43 people and a driver were on the vehicle when it crashed in Co Down.

Northern Ireland’s public transport provider Translink has said it is assisting police with their investigation.

The bus had been carrying pupils from Strangford College to Bangor.

Emergency services and a specialist rescue team attended the scene on Monday afternoon where the double-decker ended on its side in a field.

Two people were rescued from the bus by firefighters using specialist cutting equipment at the scene near Carrowdore.

Strangford College principal Clare Foster said a critical incident response team will assist pupils following the crash.

She said: “This has been a very difficult and distressing experience for the pupils, their families and the wider school community.

"The emergency services were at the scene and we would like to thank everyone who assisted for their quick actions, including a number of staff and parents who provided support and first aid.”

The Northern Ireland Ambulance, which declared a major incident, treated and discharged 33 people at the scene.

Four children were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and several other patients self-presented at Ulster Hospital.

The PSNI said a casualty centre was set up at Strangford College but added that all children had either returned home or were taken to hospital.

By Monday night, the South Eastern Health Trust said the major incident response had ended but teams continued to treat patients at Ulster Hospital.

Translink chief executive Chris Conway confirmed that an Ulsterbus service carrying school pupils had crashed, adding that no other vehicles were involved.

The Ballyblack Road is to remain closed while the PSNI investigates.

The Education Authority will work with the school to provide support for any children impacted by the events.

Stormont 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 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.”

A Facebook post from First Ards Presbyterian Church said it was thinking of everyone involved.

The post continued: “If anyone needs a chat, support, or just someone to listen, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you.”

Catch up with the latest UTV Live on ITVX

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.