A brave electrician sprang into action when he saw a bus full of school children crash in Hampshire yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the scene after a double-decker bus crashed near Eastleigh just before 10am on Thursday, June 26, with 20 people including the driver onboard. Five individuals were rushed to hospital and around 14 children, with less severe injuries, were treated at the scene.
South Central Ambulance Service dispatched five ambulances, two helicopters, and specialist response units to the scene, while Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Eastleigh, St Mary’s, Redbridge, Hightown and Portchester.
Bus route
The passengers were all students en route to Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, according to Hampshire Constabulary. A force spokesman confirmed two people – the driver and a passenger – had suffered serious injuries, but their injuries were not “life-threatening”.
Local electrician Bruno Aguiar was on his way to work when his van was nearly driven off the road by the bus. When he saw the bus veer off the road he immediately rushed to help, reports the Mirror.
Bus coming fast
He told MailOnline: “I saw the bus coming really fast. I swerved to the pavement, and the bus came into the middle of both lanes. It hit a red Corsa from a driving school and then went into the river. I went to check on the driver, and he was asking for an ambulance. I saw [the bus] was full of children.”
Bruno, a quick-thinking hero, pulled the ladder from his van and, with the aid of a man donning a Bluestar uniform – thought to be just a passerby – whisked the students to safety.
Bruno recalled: “I went to get the ladder off my van and helped the children get off the bus. There were no adults except the bus driver on the bus. I wasn’t thinking clearly. The children were all panicked. A child doesn’t think; they wait for help. I think it was a miracle nobody was more seriously injured.”
Meanwhile, police have lauded the valiant efforts of the public and emergency service personnel in rescuing some of the students and the driver trapped aboard.
Terrifying experience
Inspector Andy Tester from Hampshire Constabulary said: “It must have been terrifying and my thoughts are very much with the children and the driver on the bus who must have had a terrifying experience.”
He continued, “There was a lot of bravery shown by many people who were first on scene, who didn’t have training to work in water and weren’t equipped, but quickly backed up by our fire and ambulance colleagues who did have the right training to make it safe and make it a safe working environment.”
Bluestar general manager Richard Tyldsley has given an update: “One of our buses, carrying students to Barton Peveril College, was involved in an incident earlier this morning in Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh. Reports suggest the bus left the highway and came to rest in a shallow river.
Confirmed injuries
“There were 19 passengers on-board at the time. Our driver and at least two of the passengers have confirmed injuries, and we are awaiting further updates on the status of others on-board.
“We do not currently have full details of their injuries and are following their progress closely. Our thoughts are with everybody involved, and we wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery.
“At this time, we do not know the circumstances behind this incident and are carrying out an immediate investigation. We are also assisting the police as they carry out their own enquiries.”
A spokesperson for Barton Peveril Sixth Form College has said: “We are aware of an incident involving the College 607 Bus. College staff are working closely with the police to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
“We ask that people do not attend the actual scene. For concerned parents, an Incident Centre has been established at The Hub at Bishopstoke.
“An officer and college staff will be available at the Hub to provide updates and address any questions you may have.”
