A COACH carrying dozens of schoolchildren home from a trip to Chepstow Castle overturned and landed on its roof in a terrifying crash.
The incident near Frome in Somerset last week sparked a huge emergency response, including two air ambulances, with one student described as suffering potentially life-changing injuries.
A party of 45 staff and children had spent the day at the 950-year-old Norman castle as part of a GCSE history field trip before heading back home.
The accident happened on Monday, November 28, around 3.35pm on Oldford Hill near their destination, with the coach landing upside down on its roof beside the road.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were deployed, landing near the scene.
In a letter later sent to parents, Inspector Matt Reed of the Mendip Neighbourhood Policing Team later said the “serious incident... must have been frightening for all involved” and paid tribute to “the students, parents/carers and staff for the courage they showed” in such “distressing circumstances”.
He said “several students were taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment”, and added: “Our thoughts are with them, and we wish them a speedy recovery.
“An investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the collision. We aim to establish how and why the coach left the carriageway.
“The company which owns the coach, and the driver are assisting us with our enquiries. As is standard procedure, the driver was tested for the presence of alcohol and drug use at the scene, and this was negative. He will be interviewed at a later date.
“The coach itself will be examined by a police vehicle examiner. It was fitted with a tachograph and this too will be examined.”
In another letter to parents, Frome College principal Emma Reynolds said: “Some students were injured and taken to hospital, others received treatment at the scene for minor injuries. Staff and students were understandably very shaken by this experience.
“We are grateful to the emergency services for their swift and professional response last night and we would also like to thank the local community for all their support.”
She went on to add that the college was “continuing to support students, parents and the wider school community” and that staff would “kindly ask that people respect the privacy of pupils and parents”.
Soon after the accident, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson confirmed: “Police received a call from a member of the public at approximately 3.35pm, that a bus had overturned on the B3090 Oldford Hill. A number of passengers, including schoolchildren, received minor injuries and were checked over by paramedics at the scene.
“A small number are being taken to hospital by land ambulance for further treatment or assessment…
“Enquiries will continue at the scene to establish the cause of the collision. The road is likely to remain closed for some time, so we’d ask motorists to avoid the area if possible.”