Frome crash: Student has 'potentially life-changing' injuries

  • By Christopher Mace
  • BBC News

Image source, Apex

Image caption, A number of passengers had minor injuries and a small number were taken to hospital for treatment

A student remains in hospital with "potentially life-changing" injuries after a coach overturned, police said.

Emergency services were called to the B3090 Oldford Hill, near Frome, in Somerset, at about 15:35GMT on Monday.

A small number of students from Frome College were injured and taken to hospital.

All but one of them has since been released from medical care following assessment by staff. A full police investigation is under way.

Image source, Apex

Image caption, The coach had staff and students onboard when it overturned

Insp Matt Reed from Avon & Somerset Police said: "At this time, one student remains in hospital.

"Over the past 24 hours their condition has been evaluated by medics and it is now believed the injury they have sustained has the potential to be life-changing."

"An Inspector has been in contact with their family today to understand more about the injury and to offer our support and best wishes," he continued.

Image source, Apex

Image caption, An air ambulance was called to the scene, but was later stood down

The driver of the bus has spoken to police and has been helping the force with its investigation.

Insp Reed said: "We'd ask people do not speculate on the cause of the collision at this time while these enquiries are carried out.

"However we can confirm breathalyser tests were carried out at the scene and returned a negative result.

"The vehicle has been seized and will be examined, as per normal procedures."

Jenny Blakey owns the field where the coach left the road.

She was pulling out onto the road behind it when the crash occurred, and helped rescue people on board.

"Most of them got themselves out and there were only one or two who needed a bit of assistance because they were shocked," she said.

Frome College thanked the emergency services, and also thanked the local community for helping.

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