Nine children sustained minor injuries in a collision between a school coach and a bus. The incident, which also injured the bus driver and eight adult passengers, occurred on the A3290 slip road leading to the Sutton Seeds Roundabout in Earley, Berkshire, around 8:25 am.
Emergency services responded to a vehicle fire on the slip road, where they found the bus engine ablaze. A spokesperson from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their involvement in extinguishing the fire.
Following a separate incident involving a bus slipping off the road on black ice, school children on board escaped unharmed. The bus incident occurred in Kent at Chilmington Green, Ashford, with no reported injuries. The bus was believed to have skidded due to icy road conditions.
A statement from Stagecoach South East confirmed an incident involving one of their school buses and assured that there were no reported injuries. The company is actively cooperating with authorities to investigate the circumstances.
Two individuals were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment, while 16 others were discharged at the scene with no need for hospitalization. The South Central Ambulance Service emphasized caution due to icy road conditions and advised drivers to maintain safe distances.
Thames Valley Police closed the A3290 following the crash, urging drivers to avoid the area. Emergency services, including the fire and ambulance departments, advised the public to steer clear of the scene to facilitate their response.
Overall, the incidents involving the buses and school coach highlight the importance of road safety, especially in adverse weather conditions like black ice.