Up to 50 children were taken to hospital this morning following a collision involving a school bus and a car close to Omagh, Co Tyrone.
The accident happened at Drumquin less than two miles from Omagh at about 8.30 am as a Translink bus was transporting some 50 second-level students to school in the town.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service reported that there were no serious injuries and that the children were brought to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh and the Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry "as a precaution".
After the collision the bus ended up in a ditch on its side, as did the car, eyewitnesses reported. A “major incident” was declared and several ambulances rushed to the scene to treat the injured.
Most of the injuries seemed to be cuts, bruising and shock although an ambulance service spokesman said some sustained more serious injuries.
Translink said it is investigating the incident.
The Omagh Road was closed between the Segully Road junction and Drumrawn Road junction.
Sinn Féin Councillor Frankie Donnelly who visited the scene said he was relieved that no one was seriously hurt in the accident that "had the potential to be a major disaster".
“This is obviously a traumatic incident for everyone involved including the parents so I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to the accident that ensured everyone was treated quickly and professionally,” he said.
“It is important that we all take extra caution on the roads in order to minimise the risk of accidents especially coming into the seasons when driving becomes more testing,” said Mr Donnelly.
