THE driver of a bus that crashed into a river causing injuries to seventeen people has blamed faulty brakes and a “jammed accelerator”.
This morning, just before 10 am, a double-decker bus veered off the road and plunged into the River Itchen in Hampshire, resulting in three passengers being rushed to the hospital.
Fourteen passengers were treated for minor injuries after the horror crash on Bishopstoke Road, near Eastleigh, according to the ambulance service.
Speaking to the BBC, resident Kelly West said: “We ran outside, we ran around the front of the bus and spoke to the driver.”
She was told by the driver that the “brakes were not working” and the accelerator “jammed”.
He explained to her that he was “doing the best he could” to avoid oncoming traffic coming down the road.
Pictures from the scene showed the large blue bus sitting upright in the shallow river River Itchen with broken railings left behind.
The Bluestar double-decker was College Bus 607 for Barton Peveril students, according to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
Multiple emergency services swooped down on the scene after the chaotic crash.
A minimum of five ambulances were observed at the residential road site, and two helicopters were dispatched to the cordoned-off crash location by the police.
Fire crews were also seen carrying ladders and working with stretchers to bring any remaining passengers off the bus.
All passengers have since been removed from the bus which is sitting upright in the River Itchen, said the ambulance service.
Bluestar have confirmed there were nineteen passengers on-board at the time of the crash.
Scott Agass said that his 17-year-old son was onboard when it crashed, but is thankfully ok.
He told the Echo: “We are just waiting for our son who was onboard. They are not in the bus at the moment, I think they are all out.
“He said he was sitting there with a blanket and a monitor on his finger. He doesn’t really know what happened or what caused it.
“I suppose it just happened so quick. All he saw was that it crashed and gone in the river.”
It is understood that other families of the youngsters are gathered at the Eastleigh Rugby Club Hub awaiting more information from police.
Barton Peveril Sixth Form College has just said its staff are working closely with police to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students.
Bluestar, which operates the double-decker, has said “early reports suggest the bus left the highway and came to rest in a shallow river”.
Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: “There were 19 passengers on-board at the time.
“Our driver and at least two of the passengers have confirmed injuries, and we are awaiting further updates on the status of others on-board.
“We do not currently have full details of their injuries and are following their progress closely.
“Our thoughts are with everybody involved, and we wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery.
“Currently, the circumstances of the incident are unclear, and we are conducting an urgent investigation. Additionally, we are cooperating with the police as they proceed with their own inquiries.”
Cops advised people to “avoid the area” with the road currently cordoned off.
Police said it is anticipated the road “may be closed for up to 12 hours” as the urgent investigation and recovery continues.
A spokesperson for the ambulance service added: “We’re continuing to support and assess patients on scene.
“Three high priority patients are being taken to hospital. Around 14 with less serious injuries are being treated on scene.”
The force said in a statement: “We ask that people do not attend the actual scene. For concerned parents, an Incident Centre has been established at The Hub at Bishopstoke.
“An officer and college staff will be available at the Hub to provide updates and address any questions you may have.”
