Man dies after school bus crash
A MAN has died after the car he was driving crashed into a school bus in Pembrokeshire.
The crash happened at around 8.30am on Monday on the A478 near the village of Llandissilio, between Clynderwen and Crymych, and involved a car and a bus.
The road was closed off by police in both directions at around 8.50am and remained closed for several hours after the collision.
Seventeen school children who were travelling on the bus sustained minor injuries and two of them were taken to hospital. A man, who was driving the car, died as a result of his injuries, police have confirmed.
No further details have been released at this time, and the man’s next of kin have been made aware.
Emergency services, including police officers, paramedics and firefighters, were all called to the scene of the crash on Monday morning, along with a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter.
The bus involved was the number 636 which was travelling between Tenby and Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych.
Pembrokeshire Council got in touch with parents and guardians of those travelling on the bus, and parents were asked to collect their children from the area.
Pembrokeshire Council initially said that 13 pupils sustained minor injuries but Ysgol y Preseli has now confirmed that 17 students in total were injured and had received medical attention.
Those who have been affected by the fatal incident, physically or otherwise, are now being offered counselling and specialist support.
Rhonwen Morris, headteacher at Ysgol y Preseli, was keen to thank those who helped the school and its pupils deal with such a tragic incident.
“Pupils who have been affected by the incident are being supported by the school and a specialist support team from Pembrokeshire Council,” said Mrs Morris.
“Over the coming days, school staff, in collaboration with the counselling and educational psychology service, will support pupils.
“Pembrokeshire Council has also set up a telephone number for concerned parents and guardians, and that is 01437 775400.
“As a school, we would like to thank the emergency services for their support and also Llandissilio Caravan Park for providing a safe space for pupils during the morning.
“Pupils remained calm throughout and co-operated with the emergency services and school staff at the scene.”
Huw George, a Pembrokeshire county councillor for Maenclochog, said the community remained in a state of shock after such a tragic event.
“The family of the man who lost his life will have all the support possible from the community. We have a small and strong community here,” said Mr George.
He added that it was important that the pupils who witnessed the crash were offered all the support they might need in the coming days and weeks.