Four people are in hospital after a school bus carrying 43 school children crashed in Northern Ireland, paramedics said.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said at 4.30pm on Monday it had declared a major incident following the crash in Carrowdore, County Down, which left the bus lying on its side in a field several meters from the road.
In addition to a number of students with minor injuries, eight people were treated for more serious injuries at the scene, and four patients required hospital treatment, according to the ambulance service.
The mother of a 12-year-old boy who suffered a head injury and is a pupil at Strangford Integrated College described hearing pupils screaming over the phone after the vehicle overturned.
Dylan Lee, who was sitting on the top deck, said: “The bus hit a post and it started stalling and going down this hill. It just started shaking. I closed my eyes and then I opened them and I lay on the floor.”
He added: “Then a guy came down with a hammer and all the windows were smashed so we could get out. I was crawling under things like railings and school bags and stuff. It was on its side in the field.”
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The ambulance service said it diverted several emergency vehicles to the scene on Ballyblack Road East in Carrowdore, including an air ambulance, and urged members of the public to only call 999 in life-threatening situations while it responded to the crash.
Standing down for the major incident at 6.30pm, paramedics said the service would remain busy for many hours as it dealt with the backlog of calls, adding: “Please use 999 with care and be patient if you really need to call us.”
Firefighters, including a specialist team, rushed to help, while police urged motorists to avoid the area as they reported officers were on the scene.
In its statement, the ambulance service said 43 school children were on the bus, as well as the driver, adding: “Four patients will require hospital treatment and the rest should be discharged at the scene.”
Local SDLP representative Will Polland claimed concerns had been raised several times about the road where the accident happened.
Mr. Polland told the BBC: “First responders were on the scene as quickly as possible and for that we are incredibly grateful. Our hearts and prayers go out, not only to those who are unfortunately involved, but to those who have responded. We all in our hearts and minds at this time.”
He added: “This road has had concerns raised several times. I send all my prayers to everyone involved in the incident. It is an absolute tragedy.”
Northern Ireland’s public transport provider, Translink, said it was assisting police with their investigation.
The Ulsterbus service had been transporting pupils from Strangford College to Bangor.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill shared her support for those caught up in the crash, saying: “My heart goes out to all those injured, their families and the emergency services on the scene in Carrowdore.”
Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt praised the response of emergency workers and hospital staff: “This has been a shocking incident and my thoughts tonight are with all those affected and their families.
“I am receiving continuous updates. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the emergency crews who attended the scene and to the hospital staff who are caring for those who have been injured.
Additional reporting from PA