Emergency services are responding to a major incident in Northern Ireland after a school bus carrying up to 70 passengers crashed near Newtownards. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon on the Ballyblack Road East in Carrowdore.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared a major incident and deployed multiple resources to the scene. The NIAS urged the public to only call 999 if their situation is life-threatening while emergency services deal with the incident.
Social media images show the bus on its side in a field, having left the road. School pupils can be seen climbing out of the bus and standing in the field. The exact number of casualties and the severity of injuries are not yet clear.
Local councillor Robert Adair confirmed that the vehicle was a school bus. He expressed his prayers for the safety of those involved and urged motorists to use alternative routes.
Police have advised motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. Diversions are in place. The road remains closed.
School Bus Crash: Emergency Response and Concerns
The incident has prompted concerns about the safety of those onboard. SDLP MLA for South Down and Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath expressed his hopes that everyone is safe and acknowledged the pressure on the NIAS with the large number of people involved.
The crash highlights the importance of road safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the cause of the incident.
Northern Ireland School Bus Crash: Updates and Information
The situation is rapidly evolving and updates are expected as more information becomes available. Authorities are working to establish the full extent of the casualties and the cause of the crash.
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