19/7/2006 - M6 accident involving school bus

A coach taking children from Walney School in Barrow-in-Furness on a school trip to Southport has been involved in a crash on the M6.

 

Three coaches of Year 8 children (aged 12-13) were on the trip. The middle coach, containing 26 people, overturned near junction 34 on the southbound carriageway of the M6 this morning.

 

Six children and four adults were injured, but not seriously, and taken to Preston Hospital. Paramedics and an air ambulance attended the scene.

 

There are no children at the scene of the crash any longer. Fifteen uninjured children on the coach have been taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary for a check-up. A Cumbria County Council emergency welfare officer is attending Royal Lancaster Infirmary to assist those affected and their friends and family.

 

The two school buses not involved the crash are returning to Walney.

 

Lancashire Police have established a public information helpline on 01772 410410.
Walney School are also in the process of taking parents, friends and relatives of the injured to the hospitals in Preston and Lancaster.

 

Council leader Tim Stoddard said: "The council was very concerned to hear about the M6 school bus crash. We are all thankful that, as things stand at the moment, there have been no life threatening injuries in the accident but our thoughts are with the families of those who have been hurt. We have made all our resources available to those involved following the accident."

 

Joan Stocker, deputy leader of Cumbria County Council, said:
"This crash has come right at the end of term, when schools all over the county are arranging trips. The incident must have been a terrible shock for everyone involved and we've been offering support for everyone affected. Police will be investigating the cause of the crash."
 
Stewart Young, leader of the Labour Group on Cumbria County Council said:
"Things could have been a lot worse - coach crashes on the motorway can be horrific but it so it seems that there have been no life threatening injuries among the children and adults on the bus. When it is appropriate we have a close look at happened and see if there are any lessons we need to learn."