Nine children and the driver of a school coach sustained minor injuries in a collision with a bus on the A3290 slip road to the Sutton Seeds Roundabout in Earley, Berkshire. Eight adults on the bus were also injured. The incident occurred around 8:25 am. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to a vehicle fire on the slip road, finding the bus’ engine ablaze.
A spokesperson for Kent Police reported the incident at Chilmington Green, Ashford, involving a school bus, with no reported injuries. Stagecoach confirmed the involvement of one of its school buses in the incident and stated that there were no reported injuries, cooperating with authorities for a review.
The general manager of Horseman Coaches mentioned adverse road conditions, including ice, as a contributing factor, with an ongoing investigation and cooperation with authorities. South Central Ambulance Service reported two individuals taken to the hospital, while 16 others were discharged at the scene due to icy road conditions.
Emergency services urged caution on the roads, particularly in cold temperatures with potential black ice. Another incident in Kent involved a bus carrying school children slipping on black ice and ending up in a ditch, with no reported injuries. The A3290 was closed due to the crash, with authorities managing the scene and advising drivers to avoid the area.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the bus fire after the collision, providing immediate care to those involved. South Central Ambulance Service indicated potential hospitalization for a child and an adult. The incident resulted in a road closure as emergency services worked on the scene.
Another two-car collision occurred on the same slip road, but no injuries were reported. The incident took place on the A3290 slip road to the Sutton Seeds Roundabout in Earley, prompting an early morning response from emergency services.