Bus carrying college students crashes into river

A double-decker bus carrying 19 college students has crashed into a river, leaving 17 people injured.

The 607 for Barton Peveril Sixth Form College left the carriageway and plunged into the water off Bishopstoke Road in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Five people, including the bus driver, were taken to hospital for treatment with two of them in "serious but not life-threatening" condition, according to Hampshire Constabulary.

An eyewitness described helping to rescue students and said she was told by the bus driver the brakes were "not working".

The bus crashed through railings and landed upright in the river.

Insp Andy Tester, described it as a "terrifying experience" for those involved.

He said several people including the driver were trapped on board when emergency services arrived, while others had managed to leave the bus.

"There were a large number of specialist resources helping to get people out of the bus.

"It was obviously important to us to triage the injured people, to assess the people who were still stuck in the bus, and to make sure we had accounted for everyone," he added.

He praised the bravery of members of the public and emergency services who helped at the scene.

"There was a lot of bravery shown by many people who were first on scene, who didn't have training to work in water and weren't equipped, but quickly backed up by our fire and ambulance colleagues."

One of those who rushed to help those on the bus was Kelly West, who was working from home near the scene.

She said the driver also told her the accelerator "jammed" and he was "doing the best he could to avoid cars as he was coming down the road".

She said she looked out the window when she heard a screeching sound and saw the bus "come careering into the river".

"We ran outside, we ran around the front of the bus, spoke to the driver," she said.

Ms West said the driver told her that the "brakes were not working" and the accelerator "jammed".

She explained that she helped the "shocked" students who could leave the bus to get out of the water and into her garden nearby.

Speaking near the cordon, a parent whose daughter was on the bus, said her daughter called her crying and told her the bus had crashed into a river.

She admitted she had not seen her daughter but that she was "a bit banged up, shocked", having suffered cuts and bruises.

Another parent told the BBC: "I'm nervous, I felt panicked, I rushed straight here as quick as I could but I couldn't get to my daughter. I'm panicking until I get to see her," she added.

Dr David Pogson, a parent at the incident centre, said: "I got a message on the family chat at work about the accident, which sounded quite serious.

"Thankfully it doesn't sound that he is seriously hurt, his friends are all fine.

"I have seen some ambulances going away though and I understand some children have been injured."

The B3037 has been closed in both directions and traffic is queueing between Chickenhall Lane to Riverside.

Officers added: "It is anticipated the road may be closed for up to 12 hours for investigation and recovery work."

The 607 bus route runs from Knowle, through Wickham, Shedfield, Swanmore and Bishops Waltham to Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh

Hampshire Constabulary said an incident centre has been set up at The Hub at Bishopstoke for concerned parents. An officer and college staff will be available to provide updates and address questions.

The college said "staff are working closely with the police to ensure the safety and well-being of all students".

"We ask that people do not attend the actual scene," it added.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is at the scene and also asked people to avoid the area.

Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager confirmed it was one of their buses.

He said: "Reports suggest the bus left the highway and came to rest in a shallow river.

"There were 19 passengers on-board at the time."

He added that the bus driver is one of those who was injured and said: "Our thoughts are with everybody involved, and we wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery."

Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis has been giving her reaction to the crash.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent, she said she was "very very shocked" and worried about the students who were involved. I understand their parents have all been contacted

"My thoughts are with those who were injured and the emergency services who were on the scene who have done a fantastic job and responded really quickly.

"When something like this happens it's about the community coming together. I know the college is doing everything they can to support the students and their parents."

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