Special school bus overturns in Downpatrick

A school bus carrying 13 special needs pupils has overturned near Downpatrick, police have said.

The bus was going to Knockevin Special School when it was in collision with a van on the Vianstown Road just before 09:00 GMT.

The children are not believed to have been badly injured in the accident. However, police said they and the driver were "shaken" by the crash.

Two passing women motorists went into the vehicle and got the children out. The children were taken to a nearby house where they were comforted until the emergency services arrived.

Eight of the children were taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and five to the Downe Hospital, along with the bus driver and a carer who was on the vehicle..

Dr Stuart Kane, a GP in Downpatrick, rushed to the crash site after hearing the sirens of the ambulances.

"It was a nightmare scene, a big school bus on its side with shattered glass everywhere," he said.

"The children had all been seen by a doctor with the ambulance service."

He added that all of the injuries were relatively minor and ranged from cuts and bruises to one suspected fractured collar-bone.

The Vianstown Road is closed to traffic at the Bonecastle Road junction.

Meanwhile, a school bus caught fire on High Street, Moneymore, on Tuesday morning. The rear of the vehicle was badly damaged. There were no children on board.