Nine children sustained minor injuries in a collision between a school coach and a bus. The incident, which also caused minor injuries to the bus driver and eight adults on board, occurred on the A3290 slip road leading to the Sutton Seeds Roundabout in Earley, Berkshire, around 8:25 am. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of a vehicle fire on the slip road, where they found the bus engine ablaze.
Following a separate incident in Ashford, Kent, where a school bus skidded off the road due to black ice at Chilmington Green, no injuries were reported. Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and fire crews, attended the scene to assist passengers exiting the bus. The Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the bus slipped off the road due to icy conditions.
In another development, Stagecoach reported an incident involving one of its school buses on the A28 in Ashford. Although there were no reported injuries, the company is cooperating with authorities to review the circumstances. The safety and well-being of passengers and staff are being prioritized.
South Central Ambulance Service transported two individuals to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment, while 16 others were discharged at the scene. Road conditions at the time were described as very icy. Emergency services advised caution and urged drivers to avoid the affected areas.
Thames Valley Police closed the A3290 due to the collision between the bus and school coach. They, along with other emergency services, are managing the situation. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service successfully extinguished the bus engine fire at the scene.
In summary, the incidents involving the bus and school coach collisions highlight the dangers of icy road conditions, emphasizing the importance of driving with caution in such weather.