Aerial view of a double-decker bus in a river, surrounded by emergency responders and bystanders.
Share this @internewscast.com

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.

Aerial view of a double-decker bus in a river, surrounded by emergency responders and bystanders.
A major emergency response is underway after a Bluestar double-decker bus carrying students crashed into the River ItchenCredit: Solent
A double-decker bus submerged in a river after a crash.
The chaotic incident saw three people urgently rushed to hospital including the driverCredit: UKNIP
Nearly 20 children have been injured after a double decker bus full of college students crashed into a river this morning. Three passengers have been sent to hospital after the vehicle left the road and ended up in the water. Fire crews have been seen with stretchers on hand to take people off the bus which was carrying passengers from the well regarded Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh, Hants. At least five ambulances are at the scene on a residential road, and an air ambulance has landed near the crash site, which has been cordoned off by police. SEE OUR COPY FOR DETAILS. Please byline: Dean Owens/Solent News © Dean Owens/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800
Cops have cordoned off the areaCredit: Solent
Emergency responders at the scene of a bus accident.
Broken railings were spotted after the bus ploughed into the riverCredit: UKNIP

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.”

Pictured: Scene pics of the bus that has crashed off the road into a river off Bishopstoke Rd, Eastliegh. Nearly 20 children have been injured after a double decker bus full of college students crashed into a river this morning. Three passengers have been sent to hospital after the vehicle left the road and ended up in the water. Fire crews have been seen with stretchers on hand to take people off the bus which was carrying passengers from the well regarded Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh, Hants. At least five ambulances are at the scene on a residential road, and an air ambulance has landed near the crash site, which has been cordoned off by police. SEE OUR COPY FOR DETAILS. Please byline: Ollie Thompson/Solent News © Ollie Thompson/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800
Nearly 20 children were injured in the crashCredit: Solent
Pictured: Scene pics of the bus that has crashed off the road into a river off Bishopstoke Rd, Eastliegh. Nearly 20 children have been injured after a double decker bus full of college students crashed into a river this morning. Three passengers have been sent to hospital after the vehicle left the road and ended up in the water. Fire crews have been seen with stretchers on hand to take people off the bus which was carrying passengers from the well regarded Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh, Hants. At least five ambulances are at the scene on a residential road, and an air ambulance has landed near the crash site, which has been cordoned off by police. SEE OUR COPY FOR DETAILS. Please byline: Ollie Thompson/Solent News © Ollie Thompson/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800
All passengers have since been taken off the busCredit: Solent
Emergency vehicles at the scene of a bus crash.
Cop cars at the scene after seventeen people were injuredCredit: UKNIP
Winchester house beside the River Itchen.
The shocking incident occurred near the River Itchen (stock)Credit: Getty
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
New Hampshire judge to hear arguments on class action against Trump’s birthright citizenship order

New Hampshire Court to Review Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Order on Birthright Citizenship

A federal judge in New Hampshire is set to hear arguments on…
Supreme Court blocks Florida immigration law

U.S. Supreme Court Halts Enforcement of Florida’s Immigration Legislation

The Supreme Court blocked Florida’s immigration law, supporting ongoing legal challenges. WASHINGTON…
New York ABSOLUTELY should ban masked 'protests'

New York Should Certainly Prohibit Masked ‘Protests’

Masked protestors took to the city streets, targeting Jewish neighborhoods, and voiced…
Israel Coalition Against Houthis: Pressuring US for Yemen Strikes

Israel Coalition Advocates for US Intervention: Urging Strikes on Houthis in Yemen

Israel is urging the United States to resume military operations against Yemen’s…
Trial date set for Austin Metcalf’s suspected killer in track meet stabbing

Court Date Scheduled for Austin Metcalf’s Alleged Track Meet Attacker

The 18-year-old suspect accused of killing high school track star Austin Metcalf…
Woman with 'urgent message' for President Trump arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint

Woman Arrested Near Mar-a-Lago Security for Trying to Deliver Message to President Trump

A woman was taken into custody after she approached Mar-a-Lago, claiming she…
Aerial view of a fenced-in facility in a desert landscape.

Israel Reveals Some Iranian Underground Uranium Reserves Withstood Trump’s Assault, Warns of Potential New Strikes

ISRAEL says some of Iran’s highly-enriched near weapons-grade uranium stockpile survived US…
Florida woman Caroline Shaw arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint after saying she had an 'urgent message' for President Trump

Florida Woman Arrested Near Mar-a-Lago for Claiming She Had an ‘Urgent Message’ for Trump

A woman was taken into custody after she attempted to access Mar-a-Lago,…
SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, was shot dead by a masked assassin in Kyiv

Putin Supporters Celebrate Bold Daytime Assassination of Ukrainian Spy Chief, Hint at Kremlin Involvement

VLADIMIR Putin’s associates have openly celebrated the bold assassination of the Ukrainian…
New interim Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Macquline King speaks in first 2 weeks on the job on $736 million CPS budget shortfall

Chicago Public Schools’ New Interim CEO Dr. Macquline King Addresses $736 Million Budget Deficit in Her First Two Weeks

CHICAGO (WLS) — Dr. Macquline King, with a history as a former…
Cars parked in a lot near a gated entrance, surrounded by tall pine trees.

Tragic Incident: Teenager Dies After Sand Hole Collapse on Beach

A 17-YEAR-old boy has died on a beach after being buried alive…
‘Love Island USA’ Star Zak Srakaew Says He Liked Amaya Espinal “More” After She Called Him An “Extremely” Odd Individual”: “I Lowkey Like A Little Bit Of Fire”

Zak Srakaew from ‘Love Island USA’ Admits He Grew More Fond of Amaya Espinal After Being Called an “Extremely” Odd Person: “I Secretly Enjoy a Bit of Spark”

Zak Srakaew came to the realization “too late” that Amaya Espinal was…