Nine children and several adults sustained minor injuries in a collision involving a school coach and a bus on the A3290 slip road leading to the Sutton Seeds Roundabout in Earley, Berkshire. The incident occurred around 8:25 am. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to a vehicle fire on the slip road, finding the bus’s engine ablaze upon arrival.
A spokesperson for the Kent Police mentioned that officers were present at the scene in Chilmington Green, Ashford, where a school bus was involved in a crash. No injuries were reported, with paramedics attending as a precaution. Stagecoach South East confirmed that one of its school buses was under review following the incident.
Reports suggest that adverse road conditions, particularly ice, may have contributed to the crash, as mentioned by Horseman Coaches’ general manager. Two individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment, while 16 others were discharged at the scene. The South Central Ambulance Service advised caution due to icy road conditions.
In a separate incident in Kent, school children on a bus escaped unhurt after it slipped off the road due to black ice and ended up in a ditch. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, and no injuries were reported. The AA and RAC reported traffic disruptions due to the accidents on the A3290.
Thames Valley Police closed the A3290 following the collision, urging drivers to avoid the area. Emergency services worked together to manage the situation. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service successfully extinguished the bus fire and provided immediate care to the injured. South Central Ambulance Service mentioned potential hospitalization for a child and an adult.
Overall, both incidents underscore the importance of exercising caution during adverse weather conditions to prevent accidents.
