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Many hurt as open bus overturns Many hurt as open bus overturns
(about 2 hours later)
Twenty-five people, including children, were injured when an open-top double decker bus overturned and two cars crashed in Dorset. Thirty people, including children, were injured when an open-top double decker bus overturned and two cars crashed in Dorset.
Passengers were thrown from the top deck of the bus and people were trapped on the lower floor, police said.Passengers were thrown from the top deck of the bus and people were trapped on the lower floor, police said.
The crash at 1015 BST involved a Wilts and Dorset bus on Ferry Road, on the Studland side of Poole Harbour.The crash at 1015 BST involved a Wilts and Dorset bus on Ferry Road, on the Studland side of Poole Harbour.
Eight of the passengers were airlifted to hospital in Dorchester and four were taken to Poole General Hospital. A 43-year-old driver of a Porsche involved in the crash has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
Steve Smith, of South Western Ambulance Service, said most casualties had suffered shoulder and leg injuries and no-one was in a life-threatening condition. The fire service said 15 people had been on the upper deck of the bus and eight on the lower deck when it crashed.
Rescue helicopter Thermal imaging
The Sandbanks chain ferry remains closed and is reserved for emergency services. Eight people including two adults and two children from the second car, a Volkswagen Golf, were airlifted to hospital in Dorchester. They have since been allowed home.
An air ambulance, Portland Coastguard's rescue helicopter and fire crews attended the scene, which is about a quarter-of-a-mile (0.4km) from the chain ferry.A Porsche was one of two cars involved in the crash Five people were taken to hospital in Poole.
Police said a member of the public at the scene told them a vehicle had gone into a hedge near the bus. Twenty other bus passengers were checked by paramedics at the nearby Knoll House Hotel, before continuing on their journey.
Other eyewitness reports said a Porsche had crashed into the bus. People were airlifted to hospital but no-one was badly hurtSteve Smith, of South Western Ambulance Service, said most casualties had suffered shoulder and leg injuries and no-one was in a life-threatening condition.
Chris Harris, Wilts and Dorset Bus Company spokesman, said it was the 74-seat number 50 service, travelling from Swanage to Bournemouth. A 61-year-old woman suffered a fractured arm.
Dense heathland was being checked using the coastguard helicopter's thermal imaging equipment to make sure no one was missing, Dorset police said.
Sgt Nikki Burt said: "At this stage we don't know what has happened or why the accident has happened.
"Everyone involved today has been incredibly lucky. When I heard the reports I was expecting the worst.
"If it hadn't been for the soft landing on the verge, I think the injuries would have been a lot more serious.
Emergency helplineEmergency helpline
"The bus has gone on to its side. It has certainly gone into a ditch," he said. "It probably would have been carrying a pretty good load. She added: "I think the toppling over was slow as opposed to people being flung out and I think that is due to the skill of the driver."
"It does appear there are some walking wounded but no fatalities. Our thoughts are with people who are hurt. Investigations are taking place and we will cooperate fully with the emergency services." The Sandbanks chain ferry remains closed to enable emergency services to reach the scene, about a quarter-of-a-mile (0.4km) away.A Porsche was one of two cars involved in the crash
The B3351 is closed between Corfe Castle and Studland, the Swanage to Studland Road is closed at Ulwell and Ferry Road is closed. Chris Harris, Wilts and Dorset Bus Company spokesman, said the bus was the 74-seater number 50 service, travelling from Swanage to Bournemouth.
"Our thoughts are with people who are hurt. Investigations are taking place and we will cooperate fully with the emergency services," he added.
The B3351 is closed between Corfe Castle and Studland, the Swanage to Studland Road is closed at Ulwell.
Ferry Road and the chain ferry are expected to remain closed until at least 1900 BST.
A helpline has been set up for worried members of the public who can call 0800 0560944.A helpline has been set up for worried members of the public who can call 0800 0560944.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash?Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash?
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