Six children and a bus driver escaped serious injury after a tree fell on their school bus in Co Armagh.
The incident, which happened shortly after 3pm on Thursday, January 12, in the Aghory Road area of Richhill, occurred as Northern Ireland was experiencing a weather warning for heavy wind.
The bus driver suffered a few minor injuries including cuts and bruises and there was also damage to the Education Authority bus.
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Parents were contacted immediately to collect their children and the bus has now been recovered. Members of the public also assisted to clear the road following the incident.
Alderman Jim Speers, who is chairman of the school’s Board of Governors, described the incident as “very worrying."
He said: "Six school children and their bus driver have narrowly escaped injury after a tree was blown onto their school bus outside Richhill.
"I have spoken with school principal, this was extremely worrying for everyone involved. Please take care."
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service have confirmed they were not tasked to the scene on Thursday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) said: "We can confirm that one of our buses was struck by a falling tree on the afternoon of January 12 whilst transporting children home from school in Co Armagh.
“Thanks to the swift actions of the driver none of the pupils on board were injured, but unfortunately the driver suffered minor injuries and there was also damage to the bus.
“Parents were contacted immediately to make arrangements to collect their child and the bus has now been recovered.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police attended Aghory Road, Richhill, after receiving a report that a tree had fallen and struck a school bus with children on board at around 3.20pm on Thursday 12th January.
"Officers attended to find the road blocked but there were no reports of any injuries. Members of the public assisted to clear the road following the incident."
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