PASSENGERS had a lucky escape after their crowded rush-hour bus was in collision with a car.Almost 50 passengers, including pupils on their way to school, were travelling on the number 119 service from Debenham to Ipswich when the accident happened at around 8.

PASSENGERS has a lucky escape after their crowded rush-hour bus was in collision with a car.

Almost 50 passengers, including pupils on their way to school, were travelling on the number 119 service from Debenham to Ipswich when the accident happened at around 8.10am yesterday .

The bus was in collision with a silver Fiesta on the B1077 between Westerfield and Witnesham, near the Fynn Valley golf club.

The bus service is regularly used by people making their way to work in the town, and also by many Northgate High School pupils. The bus was almost totally full, with several passengers standing.

Robert Hodgins, 27, was on his way to work in the town centre. He said: "I was sitting near the window and the bus swerved right into the hedge. I was just completely shocked.

"It was very scary if we'd been going any faster we could have tipped right over, but the bus driver did really well."

The bus was pushed into the hedge by the force of the impact but none of its passengers were taken to hospital.

Abi Hall, 45, was on her way from Debenham to a hospital appointment in Ipswich. She said: "I didn't see what happened, I just heard a big bang and suddenly we were in the hedge. I feel quite shaken up but I'm just glad everyone is ok."

The road remained closed this morning while police carried out investigations in to the cause of the crash.

The female car driver, believed to be in her 20s, was taken to Ipswich Hospital but was not thought to be seriously injured.

Malcolm Robson, managing director of Ipswich Buses was at the scene. He said: "We do not know exactly what happened and that is what the police are trying to establish now. Our driver is ok and no passengers were harmed."

Passengers were transferred on to a replacement bus service.