Double-decker college bus carrying 56 students crashes and overturns in Dorset field

A double decker bus carrying 56 college students has crashed and overturned in a field in Dorset.

Nobody was seriously hurt in the accident, which took place on the A350 near Poole at 8.15am today, but five students and the bus driver were taken to Poole Hospital with ‘minor injuries’.

The bus, registered to a Plymouth-based company, was heading for Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester.

The students who were not injured were taken to a “place of safety” to await a replacement bus service, Dorset Police said.

A South Western Ambulance Trust spokesman said: “The trust received a call at 8.17am to a road traffic collision involving a bus, which overturned whilst travelling on the A350. The bus was carrying students on their way to a local college.

“The trust committed a number of ambulances to the scene and a total of six casualties have been taken to Poole Hospital. None of the casualties are thought to be in a life-threatening condition. There are a number of patients thought to be walking wounded and they will be treated by ambulance clinicians at a location near to where the incident occurred.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said the casualties received “minor injuries”.

Kingston Maurward College principal Clare Davison said: “The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority and obviously we are extremely concerned about this incident. We have set up a team at the college and we are liaising directly with the emergency services.”

Parents and guardians concerned about the incident have been told to contact a helpline set up by Kingston Maurward College on 07894 751 302.