Four people are being treated in hospital after a school bus carrying 43 passengers overturned in Northern Ireland.
Emergency services attended the scene on the Ballyblack Road East near Carrowdore, County Down, after the bus crashed this afternoon.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said that it assessed and treated patients at the scene, with four people requiring further treatment in hospital.
The remaining passengers are being assessed “with a view to discharging at the scene,” a spokesperson added.
The BBC reported that the majority of those onboard are pupils from Strangford College, a secondary school in Carrowdore.
A spokesperson for the NIAS said: “Following a Road Traffic Incident this afternoon in the Carrowdore area, the Northern Ireland Ambulance declared a Major Incident, based on the number of resources required to attend the incident.
“Initial reports indicated that approximately 70 people were on board the bus. This figure has been revised to 43 and a driver.
“NIAS has assessed and treated patients at the scene, with 4 currently requiring further treatment at hospital.
“The remainder have either been, or are in the process of being assessed with a view to discharging at the scene.”
The PSNI described the incident as a “serious road traffic collision”.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: “Five fire appliances and the specialist rescue team are currently at the scene of a road traffic collision involving an overturned bus.”
The South Eastern health trust said it was responding to the major incident: “Our staff in the emergency department are preparing to treat anyone who needs our care.
“We would ask any patient not requiring emergency care to please use alternative services. If your condition is life-threatening, please visit the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital as normal.”
This story is being updated.
