Children hurt in school bus crash

The driver and a teenager were injured today in a school bus crash in Co Down.

The vehicle collided with a car on the Clonvaraghan Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan ,at around 9.30am.

One female pupil from St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan and the woman bus driver were taken to the Down hospital for treatment on back, head and facial injuries.

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service deputy director of operations Andrew Cooper said their injuries were ‘‘not life-threatening’’.

Paramedics and a doctor assessed 23 other teenagers at the scene.

‘‘The ambulance service has instigated their major incident plan and ambulances have come right through all parts of the eastern division to respond,’’ Mr Cooper added.

He also explained that weather conditions where the crash occurred were ‘‘very slippy’’.

‘‘The Ulsterbus ended up hanging over a hedge overlooking a ditch,’’ he said.

The accident happened about seven miles from the school during the regular morning run.

A spokesperson for St Malachy’s said the school was waiting for further news.