Bus plunges from overpass in Rome

A bus has plunged from an overpass not far from Rome's main airport, killing one and injuring several others.

Hospital officials said at least one person was killed - the body of a man was pulled out of the wreckage and at least seven injured people were being taken by helicopter or ambulance to hospitals.

Authorities closed off a nearby road to normal traffic to let emergency vehicles rush to the scene.

Eva Berto, a doctor in the emergency room of Sant'Eugenio hospital says ambulance crew have reported that the injured are being taken to several hospitals, including Sant'Eugenio.

Italian news reports say the bus was traveling from the town of Fiumicino, near Leonardo da Vinci airport, when it broke through a guardrail and fell 15 metres off the elevated road.

It landed on its side in a field near a hotel and near the entrances and exits to the main road linking the Italian capital to the airport.