A school bus transporting 40 students from St Paul's High School in Bessbrook was involved in a serious collision in Belleeks, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred at approximately 3:38 pm, prompting a rapid and extensive response from emergency services.
Emergency Response and Scene Management
Multiple emergency units were dispatched to the crash site, including five ambulances, two advanced paramedics, an officer, and an ambulance doctor. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) worked diligently at the scene to assess and treat the patients involved.
Injuries and Official Statements
Police have confirmed that all children on the bus sustained only minor injuries, with no reports of serious harm. A local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) described the outcome as fortunate, stating that all children "walked away relatively unscathed" from the accident.
Daithí Murray, the principal of St Paul's High School, promptly informed parents that all students were safe and had been collected from the scene. He also assured families that support from the Education Authority's Critical Incident Response Team would be made available to assist with any emotional or psychological needs following the traumatic event.
Road Closures and Travel Advice
In the aftermath of the crash, road users were strongly advised to avoid the Tullyah Road area between Newtownhamilton and Camlough. This precaution was implemented to facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety while investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing.
The community has expressed relief at the positive outcome, highlighting the importance of road safety measures and the effectiveness of emergency response protocols in such critical situations.
