Gardaí probing bus crash that hurt eight pupils
GARDAÍ are investigating the cause of a crash in which a group of schoolchildren had a lucky escape yesterday.
Eight secondary students, as well as the drivers of their bus and a van, were rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital just after 8am.
Both vehicles were involved in a head-on collision near Carrickmore in St Johnston, Co. Donegal.
The pupils were all on their way to two schools, Deele College and the Royal and Prior in the Raphoe area when the accident occurred at 8.15am.
Up to 20 children were onboard the 53-seater coach.
None of the pupils suffered serious injuries.
Both the driver of the bus and the van driver are among those taken to hospital, with the van driver suffering the most serious injuries.
Parents of the eight children who were hospitalised were all immediately informed of the incident.
Garda Inspector Michael Harrison said the incident could have been much worse. He has appealed to any witnesses in the area to come forward.
Inspector Harrison said: ‘This accident could have been much worse andthe cause.we are now investigating
‘We would appeal to anybody who may have witnessed the accident to get in contact with gardaí,’ he said.
Both the van and the bus have been taken away for further inspection in a bid to determine a possible cause of the crash. Gardaí are also investigating if weather may have influenced the conditions as it had been raining heavily overnight before the crash. The majority of those students injured were from Deele College.
On news reaching the school of the accident, staff enacted Deele College’s critical incident plan
and a special room set up to for students and families. The Donegal Education and Training Board senior educational psychologist, Martin Gallen, offered advice to ensure the well-being of students and families was attended to. Principal Joe Boyle attended the scene while deputy principal Danny McFadden helped coordinate the response.
By teatime yesterday, all students had been discharged from hospital. Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools, Donegal ETB, said. ‘The priority for the management and staff was the wellbeing and welfare of the students and their families at this worrying time,’ he added.
Donegal ETB complimented the emergency services and the school staff on their response to the critical incident.
‘Our priority was students’ welfare’