We’re going to die: Terror of pupils as school bus crashed
26 children taken to hospital after coach overturns
TERRIFIED pupils feared they might die after the bus they were travelling on hit a kerb, flipped on to its side and plunged down an embankment when a school run ended in horror yesterday.
‘Heroic’ youngsters kicked out windows so they and their classmates could clamber to safety.
Incredibly, no serious injuries were reported after the crash, in which pupils said they thought they would die.
Police said 26 children aged between 12 and 17 years were taken to hospital by ambulance or by their parents.
All the children have since been allowed home, while enquiries are taking place to determine what exactly happened.
The incident took place near Our Lady’s High School in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, at 8.45am.
Witnesses and passengers said the bus, which was carrying 44 secondary school pupils, struck the kerb on a sharp bend and plunged down the embankment.
Many of the children were thrown on top of each other and escaped by kicking in the sunroof and using emergency escapes.
Police, firefighters and ambulance crews arrived at the scene within minutes and the bus was finally pulled from the embankment at 2.30pm, the children’s schoolbags still inside.
Darren Hunter, 14, kicked in a sunroof and helped many of his fellow pupils reach safety.
He said: ‘As the bus hit the kerb, we all knew straightaway it wasn’t making it around that corner.
‘Everyone screamed when we hit it. Straightaway I thought, “We’re going to die”. I closed my eyes and the next thing I knew I was lying on top of my friend.
‘I tried to open the fire door but it was too heavy and wasn’t in the right position to let people out. My friend shouted to me to kick in the sunroof. It was all over in two or three minutes. Everyone was so scared and trying to get out of all sorts of different directions.’
Darren escaped with a sore neck and back.
First-year pupil Joe Smith, 12,
‘Everyone was so scared’
was thrown on top of his best friend. He said: ‘I was scared, I thought, “Oh no, this isn’t going to happen”. The driver smashed a window, then our teacher came.’
James Congalton’s 14-year-old daughter was taken to hospital, suffering a sore neck and arm. He said: ‘Before she knew it six people were lying on top of her and she thought she was going to die because she couldn’t breathe. Two heroic boys kicked the door open.’
Peter Deakin’s 14-year-old daughter was also a passenger. He said: ‘My daughter’s very shaken up. There were no seatbelts so they’ve all been thrown about a bit. I think it was quite a violent experience for them. They’re all very, very lucky’
The narrow road has a very sharp bend and leads down to playing fields below the school.
Local resident Ashleigh Douglas, 31, witnessed the crash as she was walking her five-year-old daughter Esther to primary school.
She said: ‘As the bus turned the corner its front wheel hit the kerb. That road is a hazard.’
Deputy assistant chief officer John Joyce, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, described the initial scene as ‘pretty chaotic’ but praised the children for their calmness during the incident.
Our Lady’s High headteacher Danny McNulty said: ‘I would like to thank the emergency services for their speedy response and the entire school community who pulled together at this difficult time to support one another.
‘I’m absolutely relieved the incident was not more serious.’
Education Secretary John Swinney said: ‘It must have been a terrifying experience for those involved.’
A spokesman for the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport said: ‘While SPT manages school bus contract on behalf of the local authority, the bus operator is responsible for the maintenance and safe operation of the vehicle.’
A spokesman for Airdrie-based bus operator JD Travel said it would not be making a comment abut the incident.