School bus overturns with 70 onboard as major incident declared

Ambulance crews said they were dealing with a "major incident" this afternoon.

A bus carrying around 70 schoolchildren has crashed on a rural road sparking an emergency response. Ambulance crews said they were dealing with a "major incident" in County Down, Northern Ireland, this afternoon.

It's understood the bus careered off the road and no other vehicles were involved in the smash. An air ambulance has been dispatched, though it is understood around 50 patients are "walking wounded".

Shocking images shared by Belfast Live show the blue double decker strewn in a ditch adjacent to the road with severe damage, including to its windscreen.

In a social media post, the ambulance service said: "NIAS is currently dealing with a major incident at Carrowdore involving a bus with up to 70 passengers. NIAS has dispatched multiple resources to the scene. Please only call 999 if your situation is life-threatening while we deal with this incident."

A local journalist posted on X: "Bus with up to 70 people on board has overturned in a field in Carrowdore, Co Down. Over 50 people are walking wounded. Eight patients requiring medical treatment. Multiple resources at the scene. Air ambulance has been dispatched."

It is believed the bus overturned and ended up on its side in a field beside the road near Strangford, a small village approximately 30 miles from Belfast. Authorities are now warning people to avoid the area and roads are closed.

A police spokesperson said: "Motorists are advised to avoid the Ballyblack Road East in Newtownards, as police and colleagues from the emergency services are currently at the scene of a one-vehicle road traffic collision. There are diversions in place. Please seek an alternative route for your journey."

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A specialist rescue team is at the scene of the bus crash. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: “Five fire appliances and the specialist rescue team are currently at the scene of a road traffic collision involving an overturned bus on the Ballyblack Road East, Newtownards."

It is unclear which school is involved or where the bus was heading. Colin McGrath, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Down, and Health spokesperson for the government, has shared his thoughts for all involved in the incident.

He said: 'I hope that everyone is ok at this incident. Large numbers involved and NIAS will be stretched - please heed their advice and also avoid the area. Thinking of all involved.'

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