48 injured as coach overturns

Dec 23 2009

Forty-eight people were injured - at least one seriously - as a coach full of day trippers overturned, police have said.

The vehicle, whose passengers were on the way back from a trip to see some Christmas lights, ended up on its side in Hayle, Cornwall, just before 10.15pm on Tuesday.

Devon and Cornwall Police said roads were "extremely icy" in the area, with the conditions a possible cause of the crash.

Police said: "There are reports of 48 casualties at the scene. At least one person is believed to have suffered serious injuries. Minor and side roads in the area are extremely icy and anyone travelling is asked to consider the need for their journey."

An RAF helicopter from Chivenor was sent to help evacuate casualties to Treliske Hospital in Truro.

The coach passengers - thought to be from west Cornwall - had been on a trip to see the Christmas lights at Mousehole.

A phone line - 0800 056 0154 - has been set up for concerned relatives.

Police, fire and ambulance staff were on the scene, about seven miles north east of Penzance, and crash scene investigators were already at work. A police spokesman said of the area: "It is extremely icy down there."

Asked whether the icy conditions had played a part in the crash, he added: "Officers aren't ruling out the fact that might be a contributory factor."

Forecasters said the lowest temperatures in Cornwall on Tuesday night would have been as low as minus 1C (30F), but could have been lower in isolated rural spots. The crash comes amid nationwide warnings of "widespread icy roads" from the Met Office as wintry conditions continue to grip the country.