Separate investigations are underway into the causes of a school bus crash in Co. Cork that left three children injured.
Bus Eireann, which sub-contracted the bus says it’s investigating whether the heavy rain played a part in the accident.
The three schools involved; Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Loetto Secondary School & St. Colman’s College, Fermoy have issued a statement, thanking the emergency services for their help;
Cork, 17 September: A bus carrying 50 secondary school students overturned this morning on the Ballyhooly to Fermoy road, Cork. Students from Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Loetto Secondary School & St. Colman’s College were on the bus. There were no fatalities following the incident, four students were taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, two for precautionary reasons and two for minor injuries.
Christy Healy, Principal of Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy said: “The bus overturned on the Ballyhooly to Fermoy road this morning at about 8.20am. Staff and teachers from all three schools assisted at the scene. We are very lucky they nobody was seriously injured. Four students were brought by ambulance from the scene to Cork University Hospital where they are being treated. We immediately established an emergency response centre in our PE hall in Coláiste an Chraoibhín. Emergency counselling services were also available to students involved. All students on the bus were treated for shock and have been taken home by their parents,”
“On behalf of the three schools I would like to thank the rapid response of An Garda Siochana, the Ambulance Service and Fire Brigade, who were all at the scene within minutes,”
“An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority have both launched separate investigations into the crash, and we await the outcome of both investigations,” he added.
Principal of Loreto College, Marie Ring said she was "very relieved that all of the students involved in the crash were taken care of and are safe."
She said it was "a huge shock for all of [the] pupils" and said she was very thankful to all of the emergency services involved.
A number of children who were trapped when their school bus overturned in Co Cork this morning have been taken to hospital - with non life threatening injuries.
The bus crashed in a rural area at Cregg South on the Ballyhooley to Fermoy road shortly after 8 o'clock this morning - with up to 45 children on board.
Three children were trapped for a period - but were removed safely.
A small number have been taken to hospital for treatment - the rest have been taken to a nearby school to be reunited with their parents and receive treatment for bruising and shock.
The bus remains at the scene - the cause of the accident is not yet known and Gardai have launched an investigation.
Barry Roche of the Irish Times says early indications are the bad weather and local flooding may have been a factor in the crash:
