A major incident has been declared after a bus carrying around 70 schoolchildren crashed on a rural road in County Down, Northern Ireland. The ambulance crews said they were dealing with a “major incident” this afternoon. The bus reportedly overturned, with no other vehicles involved in the accident. An air ambulance has been dispatched, and approximately 50 patients are said to be “walking wounded.” Shocking images show the blue double-decker bus in a ditch with severe damage, including to its windscreen.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service posted on social media about the incident at Carrowdore, stating, “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.” Local reports indicate that over 50 people are walking wounded, with eight patients requiring medical treatment. The bus is believed to have overturned and ended up on its side in a field near Strangford, a small village about 30 miles from Belfast.
Authorities have issued warnings to avoid the area as roads are closed. The police advised motorists to steer clear of the Ballyblack Road East in Newtownards where the incident occurred. A specialist rescue team is on-site, with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirming their presence at the scene of the overturned bus on the Ballyblack Road East.
The specific school involved and the destination of the bus remain unclear at this time. Colin McGrath, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, expressed his concern for those involved, urging people to follow the advice of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and avoid the area. The incident has drawn significant attention, with emergency services mobilized to manage the aftermath of the crash. Updates on the situation continue to emerge as the investigation progresses.