More than a dozen people have been injured when a double-decker bus carrying students took a “terrifying” plunge into a river.
Three “high-priority” patients were rushed to hospital and emergency services raced to the scene after the bus carrying pupils from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Hampshire came off the road.
The Bluestar bus ended up in the River Itchen at Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh at 10.07am.
Five people, including the bus driver, were taken to hospital for treatment with two of them in “serious but not life-threatening” condition. 14 others, with less serious injuries, were treated at the scene, police said.
Inspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “It must have been terrifying and my thoughts are very much with what the children and the driver on the bus, who must have had a terrifying experience.”
A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said it scrambled two helicopters and five ambulances.
The spokesman said: “We’re continuing to support and assess patients on scene. All patients have been removed from the bus. Three high-priority patients are being taken to hospital. Around 14 with less serious injuries are being treated on scene.”
Key Points
- What we know so far
- Several people trapped on bus when emergency services arrived
- Double-decker bus carrying students crashes into river
- Pictured: Bus carrying college pupils crashes into river
- Two in 'serious condition' after bus crash
Student on bus says 'we are going to die' during crash
18:15 , Alex RossA video has been circulating tonight on the bus crash.
It has been taken on board by a student, who can be heard saying: “Oh my god, we are going to die, we’re actually going to die.”
The footage shows students clinging on to the seats on the top deck of the bus, as the vehicle appears to travelling at speed.
Screaming can be heard in the clip before the footage ends.
'It was a bit like Speed film' - eyewitness
17:34 , Alex RossEyewitness Kelly West, who lives nearby, said the driver had told her the bus had suffered mechanical failure prior to the crash.
She said the students were “shocked” and concerned for the driver.
She added: “One of the young adults said the bus was just getting faster and faster as it came down the road and they didn’t know what he was going to do.
“So I can well imagine they were all thinking they were going to die, quite frankly. It was a bit like Speed, the Sandra Bullock film, it felt like that, to be honest.”
Witness describes bus going at around 60mph
17:01 , Athena StavrouWitness Kelly West, who lives nearby, said that the bus driver told her the “brakes had failed and the accelerator jammed”.
She told the PA news agency: “I heard some noise, I looked out of the window and he just came careening into the river.
“It felt like he was doing about 60 miles an hour, it felt very fast and obviously he just went straight through the barriers and into the river.”
Ms West said she rushed to the crash scene where she could hear people shouting and she found the driver who she said was trapped and “panicking”.
She said: “I told him to stop panicking, help was on its way and he said the brakes failed and the accelerator was jammed and that he was trying to avoid cars.”
Student on bus speaks out
16:51 , Athena StavrouA student who was seated at the front of the top deck of the bus has described the moment the bus crashed into the river.
"We ran into a lamp-post and the whole windscreen shattered," Freddie Sampson told the BBC.
"It was like we couldn’t stop and had to weave through traffic trying not to hit any cars and then the bus driver lost control - we went flying into the river.
"It was all a bit manic. No-one really knew what was going on. I looked out the front to see people moving out of the way, like cars out the front… I looked round... they were all confused and scared."
Dad thankful son not badly hurt
16:15 , Athena StavrouThe father of one pupil on the bus told the BBC: "I got a message on the family chat at work about the accident, which sounded quite serious.
David Pogson said: "Thankfully it doesn't sound that he is seriously hurt, his friends are all fine.
"I have seen some ambulances going away though and I understand some children have been injured."
What we know so far
15:30 , Athena Stavrou- A double-decker bus carrying college students has crashed into a river in Eastleigh at around 10am.
- Five people including the driver have been taken to hospital with two in “serious but not life-threatening" condition.
- According to police, a total of 20 people were onboard the bus, 19 of which were passengers.
- several people were trapped on board when emergency services arrived at the scene.
- Five ambulances, two helicopters and specialist response units were sent by the South Central Ambulance Service.
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Bus driver told witness 'accelerator jammed'
15:17 , Athena StavrouA local resident who was one of the first to the scene said the bus driver told her its accelerator had jammed.
Kelly West told the BBC she was working from home when she heard screeching and saw the bus fall into the river.
"We ran outside, we ran around the front of the bus, spoke to the driver," she told the broadcaster.
The driver told her that the "brakes were not working" and "the accelerator jammed".
She said he told her he was "doing the best he could to avoid cars as he was coming down the road".
Pictured: Police give update at the scene
15:02 , Athena Stavrou
Members of the public helped at the scene
14:48 , Athena StavrouInspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, praised the bravery of members of the public and emergency services who helped at the scene.
He said: “So there was a lot of bravery shown by many people who were first on scene, who didn’t have training to work in water and weren’t equipped, but quickly backed up by our fire and ambulance colleagues who did have the right training to make it safe and make it a safe working environment.”
He added: “We believe that everyone, every passenger on the bus, was a student heading to Barton Peveril college.
“And I would stress at this point that all of those, all all of those people, their families, have been notified, and that has all been done so they are in touch with their loved ones.”
No immediate indication of why bus left road, police say
14:36Inspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “There’s no indication at the moment as to why the bus left the road, and that is what’s going to form part of our immediate investigation.
“We hope to open the road within 12 hours. That is our best hope.
“We will do the best we can to shorten that but, as you’ll appreciate, we have to do a thorough examination of the scene, and then there’s a complex recovery of getting the bus out of the river.”
Several people trapped on bus when emergency services arrived
14:28 , Athena StavrouIn an update Inspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said everal people including the driver were trapped on board when emergency services arrived.
He said: “There were a large number of specialist resources helping to get people out of the bus.
“Some people had got themselves out of the bus, and it was obviously important to us to triage the injured people, to assess the people who were still stuck in the bus, and to make sure we had accounted for everyone.”
20 people were on bus - police
14:25 , Athena StavrouInspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said a total of 20 people were onboard the bus, 19 of which were passengers.
He said: “It must have been terrifying and my thoughts are very much with what the children and the driver on the bus, who must have had a terrifying experience.”
Two in 'serious condition' after bus crash
14:17 , Athena StavrouWe’ve just had an update on those who were injured in the bus crash.
Five people, including the bus driver, were taken to hospital for treatment with two of them in “serious but not life-threatening” condition, according to Hampshire Constabulary.
In pictures: Bus badly damaged
14:06 , Jane Dalton
College asks people to avoid scene
14:03 , Jane DaltonBarton Peveril college posted on Facebook that an incident centre had been set up for parents and it was “working closely” with police.
It states: “We are aware of an incident involving the College 607 Bus. College staff are working closely with the police to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.
“We ask that people do not attend the actual scene. For concerned parents, an incident centre has been established at The Hub at Bishopstoke.
“An officer and college staff will be available at The Hub to provide updates and address any questions you may have.”
Road may be closed for up to 12 hours
13:59 , Jane DaltonBishopstoke Road in Eastleigh may be closed for up to 12 hours but everyone on the bus has been accounted for, police say.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “We are currently dealing with an incident on Bishopstoke Road in Eastleigh, after college bus 607 for Barton Peveril students left the carriageway into a river.
“Emergency services are in attendance and the road has been closed so please avoid the area.
“It is anticipated the road may be closed for up to 12 hours for investigation and recovery work.
“Everyone on the bus has been accounted for and all injured persons are being treated by the ambulance service.”
Pictured: The bus after the crash
13:51 , Jane Dalton
Dad thankful son not badly hurt
13:36 , Jane DaltonThe father of one pupil on the bus told the BBC: "I got a message on the family chat at work about the accident, which sounded quite serious.
David Pogson said: "Thankfully it doesn't sound that he is seriously hurt, his friends are all fine.
"I have seen some ambulances going away though and I understand some children have been injured."
Girl's mother panicked
13:31 , Jane DaltonA mother of one pupil on the bus said she panicked when her daughter called her in tears relating what had happened.
Annabel told the BBC she had not seen her daughter yet but thought she was “a bit banged up and shocked, and has some cuts and bruises".
She said parents had been told to wait at The Hub sports centre while they checked on pupils.
Annabel said: "I'm nervous, I felt panicked, I rushed straight here as quick as I could but I couldn't get to my daughter. I'm panicking until I get to see her."
Full police statement:
13:21 , Athena StavrouA Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “We are currently dealing with an incident on Bishopstoke Road in Eastleigh, after College Bus 607 for Barton Peveril students left the carriageway into a river.
“Emergency services are in attendance and the road has been closed so please avoid the area.
“It is anticipated the road may be closed for up to 12 hours for investigation and recovery work.
“Everyone on the bus has been accounted for and all injured persons are being treated by the ambulance service.”
Mapped: Where did the bus crash?
13:06 , Athena StavrouBus company carrying out investigation
13:03 , Athena StavrouBluestar, the bus operator, has said it is carrying out an “immediate investigation” into the incident.
It added that it is also assisting the police as they carry out their own inquiries.
Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: “One of our buses, carrying students to Barton Peveril College, was involved in an incident earlier this morning in Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh.
“Reports suggest the bus left the highway and came to rest in a shallow river.”
He added: “At this time, we do not know the circumstances behind this incident and are carrying out an immediate investigation. We are also assisting the police as they carry out their own inquiries.”
Driver and two passengers injured
12:56 , Athena StavrouBluestar, the bus operator, has confirmed its driver was among those with confirmed injuries.
Three people were taken to hospital after the crash, with a further 14 treated at the scene.
Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: “There were 19 passengers on-board at the time. Our driver and at least two of the passengers have confirmed injuries, and we are awaiting further updates on the status of others on-board.
“We do not currently have full details of their injuries and are following their progress closely.”
Pictured: Double-decker bus carrying college pupils crashes into river
12:50 , Athena Stavrou
College releases statement after incident
12:45 , Athena StavrouBarton Peveril Sixth Form College posted on Facebook that an incident centre had been set up for parents and it was “working closely” with police.
It states: “We are aware of an incident involving the College 607 Bus. College staff are working closely with the police to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
“We ask that people do not attend the actual scene. For concerned parents, an incident centre has been established at The Hub at Bishopstoke.
“An officer and college staff will be available at The Hub to provide updates and address any questions you may have.”
Two helicopters and five ambulances sent to scene
12:44 , Athena StavrouA South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said that it scrambled two helicopters and five ambulances to the scene, with three patients taken to hospital and 14 treated at the scene with less serious injuries.
A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We have sent multiple units to the incident including five ambulances, two helicopters, and specialist response units.
“We’re continuing to support and assess patients on scene. All patients have been removed from the bus. Three high priority patients are being taken to hospital. Around 14 with less serious injuries are being treated on scene.”
Three in hospital after double-decker bus carrying students crashes into Hampshire river
12:42 , Athena StavrouThree “high-priority” patients have been rushed to hospital after a double decker bus carrying students crashed into a river.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Thursday morning after a bus carrying students from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Hampshire came off the road.
The Blustar bus ended up in a river at Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh at 10:07am. Three people have been taken to hospital and 14 others were treated at the scene.
