'Miracle' as schoolchildren escape serious injuries after bus crashes into ditch

A number of students attending a school in County Limerick were taken to hospital this Tuesday morning after their school bus crashed and ended up in a ditch.

A local councillor says it was "nothing short of a miracle" that no one was seriously injured in the incident that happened at approximately 8.20am on the R513 road between the villages of Caherconlish and Hospital. 

In a statement, issued this Tuesday evening, St John the Baptist School in Hospital praised the bravery of students who were  on the bus and members of staff who came upon the scene.

"A small number of students were taken to University Hospital Limerick as a precaution. Our dedicated staff members who were first on the scene, acted swiftly and efficiently to ensure the safety of all students and to provide immediate assistance following the incident. We are exceptionally proud of the brave efforts of all the students involved, especially our senior students who facilitated younger students leaving the bus," read the statement.

The school says it immediately enacted its Critical Incident Plan after being alerted to the incident which allowed for a rapid and efficient response.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the emergency services of the gardaí, the Ambulance service and paramedics and the fire service who responded to the scene and provided exceptional assistance and guidance. In addition, we are grateful for all the help and offers of support received from so many, including Bus Eireann," added the statement.

The school says all of those involved in the incident will be offered support in school by its care services and structures in the coming days and weeks and that assistance will also be available from the National Educational Psychological Service.

"The school is grateful that the injuries were not more serious and are thankful to every member of our school and wider community who have rallied to assist all those affected," concludes the statement.

Local councillor Eddie Ryan said it is “nothing short of a miracle” that there wasn’t half a dozen students badly hurt in the overturned school bus. He said it occurred “only feet” away from where a bus overturned on the same school route in 2018.

“I want to praise the older students who acted very quickly and calmly in the circumstances to successfully get the younger students out the back of the bus.

"The main thing is that nobody was seriously hurt or worse. You can imagine all the students on the right hand side of the bus went over to the left side when the bus overturned.

"It’s nothing short of a miracle that there wasn't half a dozen students badly hurt,” said Cllr Ryan, who also praised the fast response of emergency responders including Limerick Fire and Rescue Service, gardai, paramedics from the National Ambulance Service, and the actions of teachers at the scene.

The road was closed for some time as gardaí dealt with the incident. 

PICTURES: Brendan Gleeson