Eleven passengers were taken to hospital after the top deck of a school bus was ripped off when it hit a railway bridge.
The double-decker had been carrying 76 pupils from St John's School in Epping, Essex on an end-of-term theme park trip when it reportedly took a wrong turn in Staines, Surrey. It had been due to take the children to Thorpe Park, in Chertsey, when it crashed about two miles away from its destination.
None of the children on board the bus was seriously injured. However, South East Coast Ambulance Service reported that one person with a suspected back injury and a further 10 with minor injuries were taken to local hospitals. The remaining passengers were assessed and treated at the scene.
A statement on the school's website said the trip had been a reward for pupils awarded a high number of house points and that crisis support workers would be available to talk to on the telephone with any students or parents who were distressed.
Chief Superintendent Chris Moon of Surrey Constabulary telephoned the Head Teacher of Epping St. John's School George Yerosimou to congratulate all the students and staff for their calm and mature behaviour in the face of the difficult circumstances the incident presented and stated that they were a credit to Epping St. John's School.
The incident highlights the need for any school to have an emergency plan in place which can be activated at any time, and the importance of having access to counselling services after any major incident. Handsam Ltd offer access to counselling and other service via our Emergency Response Service. Please call 03332 070737 or email info@handsam.co.uk for further details.
