UPDATE: Four hospitalised after school bus overturns with 43 children on board in Down

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has issued an update regarding the road traffic accident involving a bus in County Down, saying that four have been hospitalised following the crash.

The NIAS said on X, formerly Twitter, that the latest information indicates that 43 school children and one driver were on board the bus when it overturned in Carrowdore, County Down. Initial reports had said that 70 were on board the bus. 

The bus had been serving Strangford College in Newtownards, County Down. The PSNI confirmed on social media that it was a "one vehicle road traffic collision."

The NIAS said that four patients have required hospital treatment and the rest were discharged at the scene. Those who have been injured are being treated at Ulster Hospital. 

All of the injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.

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According to the NIAS, multiple resources had been dispatched to the scene including, doctors, advanced paramedics, rapid response paramedics, and the Air Ambulance with HEMS crew on board. 

On X, the NIAS said it has now "stood down" this afternoon’s major incident.

They added: "The service will remain busy for many hours as we deal with the backlog of calls. Please use 999 wisely and be patient if you really need to call us."

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has now “stood down” this afternoon’s major incident. The service will remain busy for many hours as we deal with the backlog of calls. Please use 999 wisely and be patient if you really need to call us.

— NIAS (@NIAS999) October 7, 2024