Serious bus accident in Cumbria, northwest England kills 3, injures 39
May 25th, 2010 - 1:06 am ICT by BNO NewsKESWICK, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) — At least three people were killed and nearly 40 others were hurt after a serious school bus accident in northwest England on Monday, police said.
The accident happened on the A66 near Kewick, towards Cockermouth, in Cumbria county. The Cumbria Constabulary police force said the accident was first reported at 3.47 p.m. local time.
Lara van Eijkern, a spokeswoman for Cumbria Police, initially said the accident involved three vehicles - a minibus, a coach and a car - but later said the minibus was not directly involved in the collision.
“At this time, and based on very early information from the scene, it is believed that there have been 3 fatalities, 4 people are in a critical condition, and around 35 are walking wounded,” Eijkern said.
Numerous emergency vehicles responded to the scene, including six RAF and air ambulances, six ambulances, non-emergency ambulances, rapid response vehicles, basic doctors and mountain rescue teams.
“Serious casualties have been air lifted to Middleborough, Newcastle and Preston A&E,” Eijkern said. “The first receiving hospital is West Cumberland, the second receiving hospital is Cumberland Infirmary.”
The injuries of the walking wounded range from minor cuts to spinal injuries.
According to police, the grey Honda Civic was traveling eastbound when the accident happened. The 49-seater coach was traveling westbound.
The road has been closed off at the Thornthwaite turn off on the A66 from the Cockermouth direction while emergency services deal with the scene. “Emergency services are still at the scene and their focus is now on the recovery of the vehicles,” Eijkern said, while adding that the road is expected to remain closed for a significant period of time.
Motorists are advised to follow a diversion route from Crosthwaite Roundabout via A591 to Bothel and on the A595 to Cockermouth.
Police are seeking witnesses to the collision and need to speak to anyone who saw a grey Honda Civic or a coach in the area around the time of the collision. Witnesses, or anyone else with information, is asked to call Cumbria police on 0845 33 00 247.
Further, a police information line has been set up for concerned parents and guardians to call: 0800 096 1233 or 0207 158 0197.
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Tags: a66, air ambulances, bno, cockermouth, critical condition, cumberland infirmary, cumbria constabulary, cumbria county, diversion route, emergency ambulances, emergency vehicles, least three people, middleborough, northwest england, receiving hospital, response vehicles, school bus accident, spinal injuries, thornthwaite, west cumberland