Bristol school coach crashes into ditch with 29 children and 4 staff on board

A packed school coach carrying 29 children and four teachers has crashed off a road into ditch by a motorway.

The coach was travelling from Bristol and went into the roadside ditch on the A36, near junction 2 of the M27 which is by Southampton, Hampshire. The secondary school children were unharmed, but one of the teachers injured their leg in the crash and the driver also has minor injuries. Police, ambulances and the fire service are at the scene with the coach understood to have been the only vehicle involved.

Police have informed the school and parents about the incident and warned that the road will remain closed until the coach is recovered.

READ MORE: Neuroscientist urges never look into someone's right eye - 'always the left'

READ MORE: Denmark makes major NATO move after ‘hybrid drone attack’ at airport

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We are currently dealing with a single vehicle collision on the A36 between the Ower roundabout and junction 2 of the M27.

"A school coach, travelling from the Bristol area, left the southbound carriageway and went into a ditch. We understand that there were 33 passengers on board, 29 schoolchildren who were uninjured and four teachers, one of whom had a minor leg injury treated at the scene.

"The school is aware of the incident and all parents have been contacted. The driver sustained minor injuries. Emergency services are in attendance to facilitate the recovery of the vehicle."

The force also said that the A36 would remain closed "for a number of hours" while the recovery work takes place.

A spokesperson said: "It is anticipated that the southbound carriageway will be closed for a number of hours this morning while this work takes place. We would ask motorists to avoid the area if possible and thank everyone for their patience while we deal with the vehicle recovery and continue our enquiries."

National Highways said that the A36 is closed southbound and the incident is expected to clear between 2:15 and 2:30pm this afternoon. A statement from the agency reads: "The A36 in Hampshire is closed southbound between the A3090 (near Ower) and M27, due to a collision involving a coach.

"Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary are at the scene. National Highways Traffic Officers and area team crews are assisting with closures." It added: "Traffic being diverted locally."