A school bus burst into flames as it travelled the M6 northbound yesterday afternoon.
59 school children and their teachers escaped safely from the burning vehicle thanks to the assistance of the bus driver of a second bus.
It could have been so different. 59 children and 7 teachers escape a devastating bus fire https://t.co/h2y2HzedLA pic.twitter.com/IibyRx78Ej
— WMAS (@OFFICIALWMAS) May 23, 2016
Four ten-year-old girls were taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital but their condition is not said to be serious.
The driver as well as 13 children were assessed for smoke inhalation but they were reportedly clear from major injury.
Four 10 year old girls have been taken to hospital after a fire on a school coach https://t.co/h2y2HzedLA pic.twitter.com/bvJaD4TWJ8
— WMAS (@OFFICIALWMAS) May 23, 2016
A spokesman has said:
"The trust would like to pay tribute to the Eavesway Travel of Wigan coach driver who spotted the issue, stopped at the side of the motorway and helped evacuate the children.
"He then kept them and their teachers safe on his coach while firefighters dealt with the blaze. He then took them to the Motorcycle Museum where they were meeting up with a replacement coach to take them on their way.
"This could clearly have been a much more serious incident but for the quick actions of the coach drivers, teachers and children."
