Minibus carrying children crashes

A minibus carrying 18 school children has been involved in a head-on crash with a van in Cheshire.

The bus, which was carrying children from private junior school Abbeygate College in Saighton, crashed in the village of Bruera, near Chester.

The accident happened on Chapel Lane on Tuesday afternoon.

The van driver suffered serious head and leg injuries. Two 13-year-old pupils and the bus driver were also taken to hospital as a precaution.

'Walking wounded'

Twelve other children who were on board were said to be shaken but uninjured.

Two passengers in the van also received minor injuries in the crash.

Five ambulances, two fire engines, and paramedic teams were sent to the scene just after 1600 GMT.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "There were 18 children on the minibus aged between nine and 17.

"Twelve of them are walking wounded and another two have been taken to hospital as a precaution.

"There were three people in the van and the driver has suffered serious injuries.

"He was taken to hospital although the injuries are not believed to be life threatening."

A spokesman for Abbeygate College said the children were taken back to the school to be collected by their parents.