A double-decker bus carrying greater than 40 faculty kids has crashed in County Down.
The Northern Eire Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared it as a “main incident”, however has since stood it down.
It stated the bus was carrying 43 faculty kids, in addition to the motive force.
4 kids have been taken to hospital with non-life threatening accidents, the Police Service of Northern Eire (PSNI) has confirmed.
Translink stated the bus was carrying college students from Strangford Faculty to Bangor when the incident occurred after 16:00 BST on Monday.
In an announcement, the PSNI stated that NIAS handled and discharged 33 folks on the scene.
A number of sufferers additionally self-presented on the Ulster Hospital.
Northern Eire Fireplace and Rescue Service (NIFRS) deployed 5 hearth home equipment to the scene.
Firefighters used specialist reducing gear to rescue two casualties from the bus.
Footage on social media confirmed the automobile on its facet in a subject having left the highway.
The Ballyblack Highway will stay closed whereas police conduct an investigation into the collision.
Pupils ‘screaming’
Twelve-year-old Strangford Faculty pupil Dylan stated he was sitting together with his buddy on the highest deck of the bus when it crashed.
“The bus driver crashed into some form of pole and he stalled the bus,” he instructed BBC Information NI.
“We began happening the hill after which we simply tipped sideways.”
Dylan stated after opening his eyes, he was laying on the ground of the bus.
“It was scary, very scary.
“Folks got here down and so they have been smashing the home windows…I used to be crawling below the bars and the varsity luggage have been on the ground and stuff.”
Dylan’s mom Stacey stated her son rang her “screaming” concerning the crash.
“Everybody was screaming within the background behind him – it was deafening,” she stated.
“I simply ran out of my home… my neighbour heard about this and introduced us straight right here.”
Stacey stated her son harm his head and arm within the crash, however was glad he was protected.
A casualty centre was arrange on the faculty for a time period after the incident, the PSNI stated.
A small police presence was additionally on website, with a multi-agency assembly believed to be happening inside the varsity.
The Training Authority shall be working with the varsity to offer assist for any kids impacted.
In an announcement issued to the BBC, the varsity stated: “Our focus is on the security and wellbeing of all the kids and younger folks in Strangford Built-in Faculty and the Translink driver.”
Northern Eire Secretary Hilary Benn stated he was “deeply involved” concerning the incident.
“Our ideas and prayers are with all these concerned and their households, and with the emergency companies who’re on the scene,” he stated.
Writing on X (previously Twitter), First Minister Michelle O’Neill stated: “My coronary heart goes out to everybody injured, their households, and the emergency companies who’re on the scene in Carrowdore.”
Training Minister Paul Givan stated his “ideas and prayers are with the kids and households of all these concerned”.
DUP MP for Strangford, Jim Shannon stated: “Our thanks go to the police service, the NIFRS, the ambulance service, in addition to the air ambulance.”
“We’re uncertain of the size, nonetheless the concern is palpable,” he added.
“Ideas and prayers shall be with dad and mom and youngsters throughout this uncertainty.”
‘Heartfelt thanks’ for emergency companies
Well being Minister Mike Nesbitt stated it was a “surprising incident” and his ideas are with these affected and their households.
He added that he was receiving common updates on the incident.
“I need to categorical my heartfelt due to the emergency crews attending the scene and to the hospital workers caring for many who have been injured,” an announcement stated.
“I do know I’m talking for your entire neighborhood in expressing my gratitude for the quick and environment friendly means wherein they responded, and for his or her experience and professionalism.
“I’m happy with everybody concerned in responding to the main incident in the present day.”
Mayor of Ards and North Down Council, Alistair Cathcart, stated he was “very involved”.
“Workers at Strangford Faculty, which the pupils attend, are working laborious to talk to college students and fogeys and supply assist to all these affected,” he added.
Chatting with BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme, UUP councillor Peter Wray stated: “In addition to the people who find themselves straight affected, it may possibly additionally trigger some misery for different pupils or different individuals who have seen this incident and have been distressed by it.”
The South Jap Well being Belief stated workers within the close by Ulster Hospital have been treating a “variety of sufferers” concerned within the bus crash.
“We’d ask any affected person not requiring emergency care to please use various companies,” an announcement added.