School trip bus crashes into bridge (From This Is Local London)

School trip bus crashes into bridge

A double decker bus carrying Hounslow school children rammed into a railway bridge on Wednesday - slicing the roof off and leaving a number of passengers wounded.

Police and firefighters were called to Chertsey Lane, in Staines, at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday, July 27 to find that a private hire bus carrying 44 children, aged between 12 and 14, and eight staff from Cranford Community College, had crashed into a railway bridge, ripping the roof off and propelling it behind the bus on to the road.

Windows on the top deck were also smashed.

The children were on an excursion to the Thorpe Park.

A spokesperson for Surrey Fire and Rescue explained that all the passengers were off the bus when the fire crew arrived and there were a few walking wounding.

Firefighters were at the scene for two hours.

In 2002 structural beams were installed in the bridge following a number of similar collisions.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "The beams have left the bridge safe. The bridge is correctly signposted but the driver may not have known his route."

As a precautionary measure, and to keep the group together, school staff decided to take all the children to Ashford and St Peter's Hospital, in Chertsey, to deal with minor injuries.

Doctors at the hospital examined 19 pupils and two members of staff. Once released from hospital, the group travelled by coach back to the college where they were collected by their families.

A statement from the college said: "Staff at the college immediately contacted parents as soon as the incident came to light to inform them of the situation. Parents are being given advice and support in identifying any delayed symptoms and the local education authority is offering counselling to anyone who needs it."

Roads leading to Thorpe Park and Staines Bridge roundabouts were closed.

Police have interviewed the bus driver and are currently investigating the cause of the incident.