Five people taken to hospital after double-decker bus carrying students crashes into river in Hampshire

Five people, including the driver, were treated in hospital after a bus left the road and ended up in a river in Hampshire, police said.

The force added that two of them were in a "serious but not life-threatening" condition.

Emergency services were called to Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, at 10.07am on Thursday after the Bluestar bus left the road.

It was earlier reported that three "high-priority" patients were taken to hospital following the collision.

Several people were treated at the scene after the crash.

The bus was carrying students from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh.

Inspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said a total of 20 people were onboard the bus, 19 of which were passengers.

He added that there is "no indication" as to why the bus left the road and an investigation is under way to determine what happened.

Mr Tester continued: "It must have been terrifying and my thoughts are very much with what the children and the driver on the bus, who must have had a terrifying experience."

He added that several people including the driver were trapped on board when emergency services arrived.

He said: "There were a large number of specialist resources helping to get people out of the bus.

"Some people had got themselves out of the bus, and it was obviously important to us to triage the injured people, to assess the people who were still stuck in the bus, and to make sure we had accounted for everyone."

Mr Tester added that the force hopes the road will be reopened within 12 hours.

A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said it scrambled two helicopters and five ambulances to the scene.

The spokesman said: "We have sent multiple units to the incident including five ambulances, two helicopters, and specialist response units.

"We're continuing to support and assess patients on scene. All patients have been removed from the bus. Three high priority patients are being taken to hospital. Around 14 with less serious injuries are being treated on scene."

The college posted on Facebook that an incident centre had been set up for parents and it was "working closely" with police.

It continued: "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."

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We are currently dealing with an incident on Bishopstoke Road in Eastleigh, after College Bus 607 for Barton Peveril students left the carriageway into a river.

"Emergency services are in attendance and the road has been closed so please avoid the area.

"It is anticipated the road may be closed for up to 12 hours for investigation and recovery work.

"Everyone on the bus has been accounted for and all injured persons are being treated by the ambulance service."

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are on scene of an RTC involving one double decker bus that went off the road in Bishopstoke, Eastleigh.

"Fire crews from Eastleigh, St Mary's, Redbridge, Hightown and Portchester are in attendance alongside emergency service colleagues.

"People are asked to avoid the area to help emergency services deal with this incident."

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Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: "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.

"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 inquiries."

(c) Sky News 2025: Five people taken to hospital after double-decker bus carrying students crashes into river in Hampshire