A Terrifying Incident: The School Bus Crash in Co Down, Northern Ireland
On a seemingly ordinary Monday afternoon, a school bus carrying students from Strangford College met with a catastrophic accident on the Ballyblack Road East in Carrowdore, near Newtownards. The incident, which occurred around 3:50 PM, has left a lasting impact on the community and highlighted the bravery of both the young passengers and the emergency services that responded to the scene.
The Harrowing Experience of Dylan Lee
Twelve-year-old Dylan Lee was seated on the top deck of the Ulsterbus when the terrifying crash unfolded. In an interview with Belfast Live, he recounted the moment the bus began to roll over. "It was very scary and noisy. I heard the bang and felt the bus hit something and then it started swerving on the road," he described, capturing the chaos of the moment.
In the immediate aftermath, Dylan’s instinct was to reach out to his mother, Stacey Lee. "I held tight onto my phone and was phoning mum and told her what was happening and she was crying and asking me if I was OK," he recalled. The emotional weight of that call was palpable, as Stacey described the heart-stopping moment she heard her son’s voice amidst the chaos. "All I could hear was screaming and shouting. Dylan was shouting ‘mum we’ve crashed, the bus has crashed. I’m alright, I’m alive.’"
Emergency Response and Community Support
The scale of the incident prompted a swift and robust response from emergency services. Initially, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) reported that up to 70 passengers were on board the bus, a figure later revised to 44, including the driver. The NIAS declared a "major incident," deploying multiple resources, including advanced paramedics, doctors, and even an air ambulance.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also played a crucial role, sending five appliances and a specialist rescue team to the scene. Eyewitnesses described the scene as "like a battlefield," with local residents rushing to help. One man was seen using a hammer to smash windows and drag children to safety, showcasing the community’s quick response in a time of crisis.
Casualties and Medical Response
In total, four children were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while 33 others were treated and discharged at the scene. Reports indicated that some passengers suffered more significant injuries, with one child reportedly trapped with their arm stuck and another with a leg caught. Firefighters utilized specialized cutting equipment to rescue two casualties from the overturned bus.
As the situation unfolded, the South Eastern Trust initiated a major incident response, preparing their Emergency Department staff to treat those in need. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed gratitude for the emergency services’ efforts, stating, "I am proud of everyone involved in responding to the major incident today."
Community Impact and Future Investigations
Local leaders, including Strangford MP Jim Shannon, praised the emergency crews for their swift action, acknowledging the harrowing experience faced by the children. "While the injuries may not be life-threatening, we are still not aware to what extent people have been hurt," he noted.
The Ballyblack Road remains closed as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, with diversions in place. A casualty center was initially set up at Strangford College, but all children have since left the scene. The Education Authority is working with the school to provide support for affected students in the coming days.
Local councillor Robert Adair described the incident as "every parent’s worst nightmare," urging the community to pray for the victims and give emergency crews the space they need to work. Meanwhile, Translink, the bus service provider, confirmed that they are assisting the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) with their investigations.
A Call for Thorough Investigation
In the wake of this tragic event, North Down MP Alex Easton has called for a "full and thorough investigation into this incident to ensure we understand exactly what happened and to prevent anything like this from occurring in the future." The community is left grappling with the aftermath of the crash, but the resilience shown by the young passengers, the quick response of emergency services, and the support from the local community highlight the strength that can emerge even in the darkest of times.
As the investigation continues, the hope is that lessons will be learned to enhance safety measures for school transport, ensuring that no child has to endure such a terrifying experience again.