Twenty pupils injured in bus crash horror

Driver flown to hospital in helicopter

MORE than 20 children were taken to hospital and a man was seriously injured yesterday after a crash between a school bus and a car.

The McColl’s double decker was dropping off pupils at Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School in Dumbarton when it collided with a Vauxhall Corsa on Renton Road.

At least eight Scottish Ambulance Service vehicles were scrambled to the scene around 8.40am and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sent four units.

The 27-year-old male driver of the Corsa was freed from his car by firefighters and airlifted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in a serious condition.

Twenty-one children and one woman who were on the bus at the time were taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley for treatment of less serious injuries. The driver of the bus was uninjured.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘One male patient was taken by helicopter to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Two patients were treated at the scene and travelled to hospital with relatives.’

An SFRS spokesman said: ‘Firefighters used specialist cutting equipment to remove a male occupant from within the car and he was transferred to the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.’

Police are now investigating how the crash happened.

Inspector Adam McKenzie said: ‘I am appealing to anyone who may have been travelling on the road and who may have information which could assist in our investigation to contact us.’

Parents of the students on board were notified shortly after it happened.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesman yesterday said: ‘Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the crash. Parents needing any information should contact the school.’

Local resident Jim Turner, 42, recalled: ‘I was out in the field and then all of a sudden there were fire engines and ambulances.

‘There was emergency services backed right along the road and you could see loads of blue lights. A friend of ours had a child on the bus so she asked my wife if I would go and see what was happening.

‘The coach was balancing in a ditch on its left side. It looked like the front was being held up by a tree.’

Local MSP Jackie Baillie said: ‘This must have been a frightening experience for everyone involved but by all accounts the young people at Our Lady and St Patrick’s remained calm and brave throughout.’

Meanwhile, a schoolgirl has been left in a serious condition in hospital after being knocked down by a car.

The 12-year-old was hit by a Vauxhall Astra while crossing Rodger Drive in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, at about 4.10pm on Tuesday.

She was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment to a serious head injury.

Medical staff described her condition as serious but stable.

The 34-year-old driver of the Astra was not injured.

Sergeant David Stenhouse said: ‘The girl was with some friends and all were walking north along Broomieknowe Road leading to Rodger Drive. However, as she stepped out to cross the road at the junction she was struck by the car.’

‘Coach balancing in a ditch’