Pupils hurt as buses crash

The double-decker bus was taking pupils home from school

A number of secondary school pupils have been treated in hospital after two school buses collided in north Wales.

A total of 17 Hawarden High School pupils are believed to have suffered minor injuries during the incident in Ash Lane, Flintshire - just half a mile from the centre of Hawarden village.

A number of them have been taken to hospital but none are thought to have been seriously hurt.

Initial reports say the collision happened when a double-decker bus believed to be carrying pupils from Hawarden High School, collided with the rear of a single-decker bus carrying pupils from the same school.

One eyewitness said the single-decker bus stopped to let some children off when it appeared that the double-decker bus went into the back of it.

There were parents rushing up to see if their children were alright, there was panic everywhere Cllr Glenys Diskin

"I heard a crash and looked outside and saw two schoolbuses, loads of ambulances turned up and then I saw loads of people getting off the buses," said Job Roberts.

"A girl got took off in a wheelchair and put into an ambulance," the 21-year-old added.

Police tape cordoned off one end of the road and officers are reported to be investigating the possibility of brake failure.

A number of parents ran to the scene, and many residents gathered nearby.

Local county councillor Glenys Diskin said Flintshire Council will investigate the accident.

"I have spoken to the leader of the council Alex Aldridge and he's fully aware of it, he's had a guarantee that it will be looked into," she said.

"There were just children everywhere and people were standing round shocked," she added.

"There were parents rushing up to see if their children were alright, there was panic everywhere."

The double-decker was towed away for investigation at around 1830 GMT on Thursday, when council staff were still on the scene clearing debris.

Five ambulances and an air ambulance attended the scene.