Appeal For Witnesses Following Serious Collision

Investigations are continuing after 28 schoolchildren and two drivers were injured when two school buses collided in Stanley, County Durham on Tuesday (June 3rd).

Police have confirmed that a single-decker bus and a double-decker collided head-on in the incident shortly after 8:22am, with around 50 pupils from St Bede’s Catholic School in Lanchester and Tanfield School on board the vehicles.

A 54-year-old driver had to be freed and airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious injuries, while a 12-year-old boy from Tanfield School was also taken by air ambulance to the same hospital.

The second driver was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for treatment and it is reported that all three remained in hospital overnight.

Police have appealed for witnesses who may have seen the incident to come forward with any information.

Expert Opinion

It is incredibly worrying to see reports of this very serious incident and the clear priority at this point must be to ensure that those injured in the crash get the treatment and support they require. <br/> <br/>"Through our work, we have seen the huge physical and psychological trauma that victims involved in such incidents can suffer, so it will be hugely important that people are able to access vital rehabilitation and support services. <br/> <br/>"I am confident that police and authorities will work quickly to comprehensively review all of the evidence in relation to the crash, with the ultimate aim of providing answers to pupils, their parents and the local community as to how this happened. Lessons must be learned from this with a view to ensuring, where possible, safety standards can be improved."