19 children injured as school bus topples over

Six children were taken to hospital yesterday and 13 others were treated for minor injuries after a school bus toppled over.

The double-decker bus toppled over at 3.52pm last night in Aberdeenshire. It had been travelling along the A92 Gavrock road near Laurencekirk.

One child was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and five taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, police said.

A spokesman for Grampian Police said: "The children taken to hospital are suffering from back and shoulder injuries. Thirteen other children are being treated for minor injuries."

The pupils are boys and girls aged between 12 and 17.

All of the injuries are believed to be minor, but the youngsters have been taken to hospital as a precaution.

An investigation is under way into the cause of the accident. The weather, including heavy rain and wind, is believed to have been a contributory factor.

A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said around 34 pupils were on the bus at the time.

The council said concerns had been raised by parents about the use of double-decker buses on the route.

Assessments, which had been carried out, and arrangements agreed with the bus operator will be reviewed, the council said last night.

Inspector Ian Kirkwood of Grampian Police, who was at the scene, said: "This had the potential to be a serious incident, but thankfully all the emergency services have worked well together with the assistance of Mearns Academy and it would appear that none of the children have serious injuries as a result of this incident.

"We have a team of officers who will be investigating the incident, but at the moment it would appear that the weather has been a factor."