Multiple children were hospitalised today after a bus taking pupils home from school was ripped open by a passing tractor.
The crash, near Meopham, Kent, saw 13 people treated and taken to hospital by emergency services, some of which, the South East Coast Ambulance confirmed, were children.
Of the 13 injured in the crash, 12 were passengers, and one was the driver.
Four others were given treatment by paramedics at the scene, while one of the crash victims had to be airlifted by helicopter to London’s King’s College Hospital.
MEOPHAM: A number of children have been injured on a bus after it collided with a tractor in South Street around 3.30pm today. The tractor’s hydraulic bucket apparently struck the bus’s upper deck. South East Coast Ambulance say they sent “multiple resources” to a “serious RTC”. pic.twitter.com/DY9Q6b2PIF
— Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) May 22, 2024
Footage from the incident showed the red and white double-decker bus by the side of the road with a huge gash along the left side of its upper level.
A tractor with its scoop raised, which is also believed to have been involved in the collision, was pictured at the crash site.
Responders from the police, South East Coast Ambulance Service (Seacamb), Kent Fire and Rescue Service, alongside an air ambulance, were called to the crash site on the A227 South Street near Culverstone Green.
In the aftermath of the horror crash, a 33-year-old man from East Sussex was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, Kent Police confirmed.
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The crash took place on a stretch of the A227 South Street near Meopham
He was later bailed to return to the police station, pending further investigation, police said.
Kent Police described the crash as a “serious incident”.
The force said investigations were being led by Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) who urged any witnesses to contact them.
The SCIU said it was seeking information and “potential evidence” from members of the public with phone footage of the crash as well as any motorists with dashcam video.
A Seacamb statement read: “Following a serious collision between a bus and tractor near Meopham at approx 3.30pm today (22/05), we treated and conveyed 12 patients to local hospitals.
“One patient was airlifted to Kings College Hospital and four other casualties were discharged at the scene.”
Police said anyone who may be able to assist the investigation should call SCIU on 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.police.uk, quoting reference EX/DGC/051/24.
