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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Double decker bus overturns with multiple injuries reported

A double-decker bus has overturned on a busy road with 71 people on board.

Some 26 people were injured, and a number of those were taken to hospital for treatment.

A major incident was declared at 6:00am this morning before being downgraded at midday after the vehicle carrying staff of nuclear power plant Hinkley Point were involved in the terrifying incident.

Police alongside the air ambulance rushed to the A39 Quantock Road, near Bridgwater, Somerset, this morning.

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The force received more than 100 reports within a matter of hours as a result of 'treacherous conditions' on roads.

Authorities have since confirmed there were no fatalities but that there were 26 'walking wounded'.

The emergency services were attempting to release those still trapped on the bus four hours after the 6:00 am collision.

Somerset Passenger Solutions, which operates the bus service, have launched an investigation into the "root cause of the accident".

Inspector Rebecca Wells-Cole said: “Emergency services have been on the scene since receiving the first 999 call and we can confirm that have been no fatalities at this time.

“Fifty-four patients were triaged at the scene and it’s too soon to confirm if any of these patients have life-threatening injuries. However, 26 patients are being treated as walking wounded.

“A number of those treated at the scene had been taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Bridgewater Minor Injury Unit and Southmead Hospital.

"It may take us some time to recover the bus and to clear the debris from the road.“

Temperatures have plunged to below freezing across Britain, creating travel chaos as the Met Office issued yellow warnings for snow and ice across southern England.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the bus "rolled over".

A Hinkley Point C spokesperson said: "A bus carrying members of the Hinkley Point C workforce has been involved in a traffic incident on the A39 in Bridgwater.

"Emergency services are on the scene and travel to and from the site has been suspended."

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: "We were called at around 6am today to the A39 Quantock Road following a road-related incident involving a double-decker bus and a motorcyclist.

"Closure are in place at the junction of Sandford Hill and Quantock Road.

"A significant number of police, fire and ambulance units are on the scene and a major incident has been declared."

Dave Gliddon, Vice Chairman of Wembdon Parish Council told Metro.co.uk: "We understand the bus crashed near the Sandford Roundabout."

A section of the A30 in Devon has also been blocked up by snow.

Double decker bus overturns with multiple injuries reported (Andy Cummins/ Daily Mirror)

A road in Kent was also blocked by a truck after the driver lost control on the ice became stuck.

Supt Mark Runacres said: "We have closed the road whilst we work with emergency services at the scene."

Somerset Police are advising the public to "only travel if essential" after 53 crashes were reported on Monday evening alone.

The "treacherous conditions" overnight have caused carnage on roads across the county.

Emergency services have respond to an overturned vehicle near the village of Llangynidr in the Brecon Beacons.

A bus also crashed in Blackpool outside the Savoy Hotel on Queens Promenade due to the icy weather.

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