LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago
FOUR PEOPLE ARE being treated in hospital after being injured when a school bus overturned on a road in north Co Down.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said that dozens of people were injured in what it described as a “major incident” on the Ballyblack Road East in Newtownards, around 20km east of Belfast, earlier today.
NIAS also said that a further 50 people have sustained minor injuries, or avoided injury, in the crash.
In an update this evening, NIAS said it has now “stood down” the respond to this afternoon’s major incident.
“The service will remain busy for many hours as we deal with the backlog of calls. Please use 999 wisely and be patient if you really need to call us,” the organisation said on social media.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has now “stood down” this afternoon’s major incident. The service will remain busy for many hours as we deal with the backlog of calls. Please use 999 wisely and be patient if you really need to call us.
— NIAS (@NIAS999) October 7, 2024
Earlier, doctors, emergency rescue crews, advanced paramedics, rapid response teams and air ambulance officers were dispatched to the scene.
The NIAS said this evening that there were 43 children on the bus, as well as the driver.
Four patients were said to require hospital treatment, but the NIAS added that the rest should be discharged at scene.
The ambulance service said earlier that over 60 people were on board at the time of the incident.
In a short statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland advised motorists to avoid the area.
A specialist rescue team are currently at the scene of the crash, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said.
The South Eastern health trust said it was responding to the major incident: “Our staff in the emergency department are preparing to treat anyone who needs our care.
“We would ask any patient not requiring emergency care to please use alternative services. If your condition is life-threatening, please visit the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital as normal.”
The chief executive of Translink Group Chris Conway- which runs the service – said his “thoughts are with all those involved in this incident”.
“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,” Conway said, adding that no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
“NIAS assessed and treated 43 pupils at the scene plus the driver, with four of the pupils taken to hospital for further treatment,” Conway said.
“Translink is assisting the PSNI with their investigations.
Local SDLP representative Will Polland said concerns had been raised multiple times about the road where the crash occurred.
He told the BBC: “First responders were on the scene as quick as possible and we are incredibly grateful for that.
“Our hearts and prayers go out, not just to those who are unfortunately involved, but those who have responded.
“We are keeping everyone in our hearts and minds at this point.”
He added: “This road has had concerns about it raised multiple times. I send all my prayers out to everyone involved in the incident. It is an absolute tragedy.”
With reporting from Press Association.
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