A major incident has been declared in Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland, following a crash involving a school bus, said to be carrying around 70 youngsters
A bus carrying approximately 70 schoolchildren has crashed on a rural road this afternoon.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Servce (NIAS) said it is dealing with a “major incident” involving a bus with up to 70 passengers in County Down. No other vehicles were involved in the smash, which reportedly led to the bus careering off the road.
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.”
It is believed the bus overturned and ended up sidewards in a field beside the rural 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.”
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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