We briefly mentioned the story yesterday about a collision involving two buses which happened at the junction of Shield Row Lane and the A693 in Stanley yesterday. New reports from the BBC have emerged that confirm that more than 50 children were involved with 28 of them being taken to hospital.
The head on collision that happened yesterday at around 08:22 involved two drivers and pupils from St Bede’s Catholic School, Lanchester, and Tanfield School.
We knew this was a significant one after reports confirmed 13 ambulance crews were on the scene, and new reports have confirmed that one of the drivers and a 12 year old boy are said to have been seriously injured. Both were flown by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
The accident closed nearby roads for more than eight hours and police are appealing for witnesses. Onlookers spoke of horrifying scenes were injured children were crying, with many distressed and understandably suffering from shock. One eye witness according to the BBC report described the incident as a “great big crash” and she went on to say “the bang was terrific. My son got out of his car. He ran out and got all the bairns off the bus. They were all screaming blue murder.”
As a law firm who specialise in claims for personal injury, we’re more than used to representing victims for bus accident compensation claims. Many victims escape serious injury, but when you have a case like this where two busloads of children have crashed, it’s devastating to hear about.
Reports so far suggest that the two seriously injured victims are said to be stable and hopefully they and all the other pupils involved will make a swift recovery. Statements from the schools involved have confirmed that assistance and counselling may be provided were necessary for any pupils who may suffer the after effects of this terrible incident.
The photos on the BBC report show just how significant this accident was. The whole front ends of both of the vehicles involved are severely damaged; it’s a miracle no one was more seriously hurt or killed. No doubt the police investigations will continue to ensure anyone at fault can be brought to justice.
General Legal Advice for Bus Accidents
Generally speaking, passengers in bus collisions have an almost guaranteed claim for personal injury compensation when injured. Blame can of course be split between vehicles involved in collisions like this, but this rarely affects the passengers who are after all totally innocent victims most of the time. There is often very little passenger can do to prevent or contribute toward an accident.
We often find that bus injuries are occasionally more severe given that most buses do not have seatbelts. In significant impacts like this one, it can make a real difference to the severity of the injuries suffered. I’ve been involved in a bus accident myself which I made a successful claim for. Luckily it was a coach so I had a seat restraint, but I recall being mere inches away from the seat in front when I was thrust forward. I think my restraint definitely saved me from more serious facial injuries.
