A multi-agency update on the major incident on the Ballyblack Road East.  

At 3:50 this afternoon, Monday 7th October an Ulsterbus containing pupils from Strangford College and the bus driver overturned on the Ballyblack Road East Newtownards.  

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared a major incident and deployed numerous resources and specialist assets. Five Fire Appliances as well as police attended the scene. Firefighters using specialist cutting equipment rescued two casualties from the bus and provided support to NIAS for a number of other casualties.

A casualty centre was set up at the school for a period of time but all children have now left the scene of the collision. All were either taken home by parents/guardians or transported to hospital.

NIAS treated and discharged 33 people at the scene. Four children were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Several patients have also self-presented at the Ulster Hospital.

The Ballyblack Road will remain closed for some time while police conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the collision. Diversions remain in place.

The Education Authority will be working with the school in the coming days to provide support for any children impacted by today’s events.