A school bus carrying pupils has overturned in Lancashire, leaving around 20 people with injuries in a serious road traffic collision. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in the village of Coppull, near Chorley.
Emergency Services Rush to the Scene
Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and multiple ambulance units, were called to the scene on Preston Road shortly after 3:20 PM. The bus, which was transporting school children, had left the carriageway and come to rest on its side.
Lancashire Constabulary confirmed they were dealing with a "serious collision" and urged the public to avoid the area. A significant cordon was established as paramedics assessed and treated the injured at the roadside.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police stated: "We were called at about 3.25pm today to reports of a collision involving a bus on Preston Road, Coppull. Emergency services are currently at the scene."
Multiple Casualties Treated
North West Ambulance Service dispatched a large number of resources to the incident, including ambulances, rapid response vehicles, and hazardous area response teams. A spokesperson confirmed they were responding to a "road traffic collision involving a bus" with "a number of patients" requiring treatment.
Initial reports indicated that approximately 20 people sustained injuries in the crash. The nature and severity of these injuries were not immediately confirmed, though it is understood that many of those involved were school-aged children. All casualties were transported to nearby hospitals for further assessment and care.
Major Road Closure and Investigation
The crash caused major disruption in the area, with Preston Road closed in both directions between Chapel Lane and Spendmore Lane. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes as investigators began their work to establish the cause of the overturn.
Local residents reported seeing a large emergency service presence and air ambulances were also initially considered, though it is believed road ambulances were used for all patient transfers. The bus operator involved has not yet been formally named.
Officers from the police's collision investigation unit are expected to examine the scene thoroughly. No arrests have been made at this early stage. The priority for all services remains the welfare of those injured.
Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage who has not yet spoken to police are urged to come forward. The community in Coppull has been left shocked by the incident, which occurred on a key local route as schools were finishing for the day.
