12/12/10…Further information on Thame coach crash

A STATEMENT released today, throws more light on the coach crash at junction 7 for Thame, of the M40, late last night.

A police spokesman is reported to have said that it was investigating whether the coach took a different exit off the motorway. The Oxford Tube normally leaves at junction eight.

The statement from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue reads:

“On arrival crews were met with a scene where an ?Oxford Tube? double decker coach that had been in collision with the safety barrier on the south bound exit at junction 7.

The coach had struck the barrier and rolled over, ending up half way down a steep embankment. Our priority was to stabilise the coach to prevent it sliding any further as there were still people on the coach. Crews secured the coach using winching equipment giving us a stable work platform.

Incident Commander John Nixon said there were approximately 35 people on the coach and a priority list was drawn up between South Central Ambulance and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue.

One person was medically trapped at the rear of the coach and crews took a considerable time to free them due to the difficulty in both access and the entrapment. Another passenger was thrown from the coach and received severe injuries and ended up entangled in the shrubbery down the embankment. They were taken to safety using a basket stretcher.

At that stage South Central Ambulance Service declared this a Major Incident. My understanding is that there were 35 passengers on the coach who were all triaged at the scene. I believe17 passengers were treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital with varying types of injury.

Fire Crews remained on scene until the coach could be partially lifted using heavy lifting equipment to allow us to check underneath the vehicle and confirm no further casualties were involved.

Fire and Rescue Services were on scene until approximately 03:30 AM. Fire fighters from Watlington, Wheatley, Didcot and Kidlington attended the incident (approx 20).

Group Manager John Nixon said ?I would like to praise my fellow colleagues in both South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Police in the way the situation was resolved using both professionalism and close inter working liaisons?.

Press state prepared by John Nixon 12 December 2010

PHOTO and report: Mail on line website:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337929/17-injured-coach-flips-overturns-leaving-motorway-Oxfordshire.html?ito=feeds-newsxml