Rescue after car and bus crash

The woman driver was airlifted to hospital

A woman has been seriously injured in a collision between the car she was driving and a coach in the Scottish Borders.

Police said the coach, which was carrying 40 people, ended up in a ditch on the A701 near Romanobridge, about 22 miles south west of Edinburgh.

The woman driving the car, who was believed to be travelling alone, was seriously injured, and was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Firefighters rescued the woman from the car and stabilised the coach with winches before helping the passengers get off.

The accident happened near Romanobridge

Lothian and Borders Police said the accident happened at 1045 GMT at the junction with the A72.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said most of the passengers on the coach did not appear to need hospital treatment.

Police said two people of the people on the coach were receiving medical treatment - one was a man who had suffered a suspected angina attack.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "The bus has ended up in a ditch, but we believe most of the passengers have escaped with minor cuts and bruises.

"The driver of the car is in a serious condition and has been taken to hospital."

The remaining passengers were taken to a local hotel to recover.

Rescue units, including a helicopter air ambulance, were called to the scene.

The coach ended up in a ditch

The coach is operated by Ellen Smith Tours of Rochdale in Lancashire.

A spokesman for the firm said that there were 39 passengers and a driver on board the coach.

The passengers, who live in Rochdale and Bury, were on their way back from an organised holiday at the Forth Bridges Hotel, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, when the accident happened.

The spokesman said the vehicle is three years old and fitted with seat belts.

Arrangements were being made for a coach from another firm to take the holidaymakers home.