Witness appeal after bus and car collide in Ashington

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision between a car and a bus in Ashington on Saturday (August 13) in which several people were injured.

Emergency services were called to the southbound slip road from the A24 at Ashington at around 3.50pm to reports of the collision, which resulted in the bus catching fire.

All passengers were safely evacuated from the bus prior to the emergency services arriving.

The passenger in the car – a 40-year-old woman – was serious injured, while the driver, a man in his 50s, suffered a minor injury. Both were taken to hospital by ambulance.

The bus driver and eight bus passengers also suffered minor injuries. All were assessed at the scene by the ambulance service and one was taken to hospital for treatment.

PC Steve Lambeth, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are keen to hear from any witnesses to this collision, or anyone with dashcam footage of either a grey BMW 430i, or the number 23 Metrobus, prior to the collision. Both would have been travelling south on the A24.

"Please contact [email protected], quoting serial 846 of 13/08.

“I would also like to thank the members of the public who stopped at the scene to help the injured passengers before the ambulance service arrived, and staff from the local M&S fuel station who provided cold drinks to those involved during the scorching heat.

“The southbound slip road leading off the A24 was heavily damaged by heat from the fire and vehicle fluids. It remains closed while arrangements are put in place to have it resurfaced.

“We thank motorists for their patience and apologise for any disruption caused.”