Six hurt in coach crash

By Jonathan Barnes

SIX elderly people from East Anglia were in a "serious" condition in hospital last night after a terrifying coach crash.

Police are investigating the collision, between a coach carrying 30 day-trippers from Stowmarket and a minibus, which happened on the A134 at Northwold, near Downham Market, at 9.40am yesterday.

Four people travelling on the coach, which was heading for King's Lynn, were taken to hospital with what police described as "serious but not life threatening injuries".

Two others who were passengers on the minibus, which was carrying elderly people to a day centre in Methwold, were also taken to hospital. One is thought to have suffered a broken collar bone while the other had broken ribs.

Norfolk police said a further 11 people were treated at the scene of the crash for minor injuries and shock.

The coach was heading towards Downham while the minibus was travelling in the opposite direction when the vehicles collided.

Firefighters used hydraulic equipment to help release one elderly person from the minibus who was suffering from a possible spinal injury.

Two of the six casualties were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King's Lynn and four were taken to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds.

Insp Paul Rush, of Norfolk police, said: "This was a large-scale incident which required the efforts of all emergency services who worked well together to ensure that casualties were treated as soon as possible.

"I am also grateful to those members of the public who offered their services at the scene."

The A134 was closed around the scene of the accident following the crash for recovery of the vehicles and treatment of an oil spillage in the road.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Insp Rush at Swaffham Road policing on 01953 424242.