Dozens injured with some in hospital after double-decker bus with 71 on board overturns on A39 Quantock Road in Somerset
Dozens of people have been injured and “a number” have been taken to hospital after a double-decker bus overturned in Somerset.
A major incident was declared on Tuesday morning, which saw a “significant number” of police, fire and ambulance crews sent to the scene in Bridgwater, but this has now been stood down.
Giving an update on the situation, Inspector Rebecca Wells-Cole said 54 patients were triaged by paramedics and 26 were treated as “walking wounded”.
The incident occurred on the A39 Quantock Road in Bridgwater, Somerset
She added that “a number” of people have been taken to hospital, but it was too early to confirm if any of their injuries were life-threatening.
No fatalities have been recorded.
The bus was taking workers to Hinkley Point C nuclear power station at the time of the incident, which also involved a motorcyclist.
A total of 70 members of staff were on board when it overturned, as well as the bus driver, Insp Wells-Cole added.
“It may take us some time to recover the bus and to clear debris from the road,” she warned.
“I would like to take this opportunity to advise the residents to only travel where absolutely essential due to the icy road conditions caused by the cold temperatures overnight and the excess water on the roads.”
‘Crashing, screaming, shouting’
One woman, who lives nearby, told Sky News the road is known for being covered in surface water, and “it was only a matter of time before a serious accident was going to happen”.
Charis Ware said: “I heard lots of banging, crashing, screaming, shouting. I had a feeling what had happened.
“I guessed it was an accident, purely because there’s always surface water on that road. It’s very scary.
“We have the same problem year after year.”
Somerset Passenger Solutions, which operates the bus service, said an investigation into the “root cause of the accident” is now under way, and it is working closely with emergency services.
“We are supporting our colleagues and passengers who were involved in the incident,” it said in a statement.
Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called at around 6am to the A39 Quantock Road following a “road-related incident involving a double-decker bus and a motorcyclist”.
“Closures are in place at the junction of Sandford Hill and Quantock Road,” it said in a statement.
Police warned of ‘extremely icy’ conditions earlier
The A39 is a major thoroughfare around the Quantocks – linking the M5 with places like Minehead and Exmoor – and is also a key road for people who work at the nuclear power station.
However, Hinkley Point C has said travel to and from the site has now been suspended.
Confirming paramedics were dealing with the incident, Southwestern Ambulance Service advised drivers to find alternative routes and “take care” while travelling due to roads being icy.
Avon and Somerset Police had earlier warned about the “extremely icy and dangerous” conditions following freezing temperatures after receiving more than 100 reports of road-related incidents in five hours.
A total of 53 crashes were reported to the force between 6pm and 11pm on Monday, and injuries were recorded in seven of them.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
Read more from Sky News:
Ten Reform councillors quit in protest
Liz Truss sends cease and desist letter to Starmer
As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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