Mayo bus slid down a bank

Dozens of Irish secondary schoolchildren have been injured, although none of them seriously, after the bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident in County Mayo, gardai said today.

The vehicle slid off a road near Westport at about 10.30am as it was bringing the children home from a week-long adventure holiday on Achill island off the west coast.

The 48 children on board were taken to a local hospital for treatment but none of them were seriously hurt, a police spokesman said.

It is understood the youngsters, who were accompanied by two teachers, attend various secondary schools in County Limerick.

The spokesman said: ‘‘The 48 students were coming from Achill Island when their bus pulled over to the side of the road to allow a wide vehicle to pass.

‘‘It slid down the bank on the side of the road.’’