One dead after 52-seater bus smashes into car on busy bridge
One person has died and another is fighting for their life after a bus smashed into a car on a busy bridge in Wales.
Ten people were rushed to hospital this afternoon after a 52-seater bus crashed on the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, trapping passengers and the driver. Emergency crews rushed to the scene several passengers are believed to have suffered "various injuries" in the incident. Firefighters were able to eventually to free the "severely trapped" driver who was rushed to hospital in an air ambulance.
The cause of the incident is currently unknown and local politicians have sent their thoughts for those affected. An air ambulance landed at the scene at around 2pm, before taking off with the driver on board shortly after. Dramatic photographs from the scene show the bus with a smashed windscreen, behind a large police cordon.
A spokesman for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 2.19pm the Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Tenby and Narberth crews were called to an incident on the Cleddau Bridge, Pembroke Dock. Crews responded to a road traffic collision involving one 52-seater bus and one private motor vehicle. Many of the bus passengers are suffering with various injuries.
"One driver is currently severely trapped, crews are currently working to extract the trapped driver as well as administering first aid. The Air Ambulance and Dyfed Powys Police are also in attendance. This has been declared a major incident which is currently ongoing, more information may be released when available."
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Emergency services shut down a roundabout near the scene of the crash today (Martin Cavaney/Athena Pictures)The fire service later said that the crew had "extricated a severely trapped driver who was then taken to hospital by Air Ambulance". The bus passengers "suffered with various injuries and many of them were taken to hospital by road ambulances and police vehicles", the service added. The incident was initially declared a "major incident", but was "stood down" just before 5pm.
Road traffic collision equipment, HGV platform and trauma packs were all extensively used throughout this incident. Some crews left the scene 4.16pm, with others remaining at the scene to further assist the Police.
Wales' First Minister, Mark Drakeford, has offered his thoughts to those affected by this afternoon's incident. He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Worrying to hear news of a major incident on the Cleddau Bridge. Details are still emerging.
“My thoughts are with all those involved and my thanks to the first responders and emergency services working at the scene.”
10 people were hospitalised in the smash (Martin Cavaney/Athena Pictures)In the wake of the accident, Hywel Dda health board issued an urgent message asking people to only attend Withybush Hospital if they suffered life-threatening or serious injuries. In a message posted on social media, it wrote: "We are aware of a serious road traffic incident affecting the Cleddau Bridge, near Neyland in Pembrokeshire. The incident is being managed by the relevant emergency services.
"In order for us to support the incident response, we’re asking people to only attend A&E at Withybush Hospital if you have a life-threatening illness or serious injury, such as severe breathing difficulties, severe pain or bleeding, chest pain or a suspected stroke or serious trauma injuries
"To ensure we can treat patients appropriately, we urge you to choose your healthcare services very carefully, so we are only seeing people with urgent or emergency care needs in A&E".
Some locals took to Facebook after seeing the crash, which one described as the "worst traffic accident I've ever seen". Larry Best commented: "It's directly outside our driveway... This is for sure the worst traffic accident I've ever seen. Everyone standing around seems to be in good spirits so I hope there's been no tragedy."
Have you been affected by this incident? If so, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
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