This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/8427599.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Two dead, 47 hurt in coach crash Two dead, 47 hurt in coach crash
(10 minutes later)
Two women have died and 47 have been injured in a coach crash in Cornwall. Two women have died and another 47 people have been injured in a coach crash in Cornwall.
The coach is thought to have skidded on sheet ice and rolled on to its side as it went down a hill on a country road at Townshend, near Hayle.The coach is thought to have skidded on sheet ice and rolled on to its side as it went down a hill on a country road at Townshend, near Hayle.
It is believed passengers were on their way home from a trip to see Christmas lights in the village of Mousehole.It is believed passengers were on their way home from a trip to see Christmas lights in the village of Mousehole.
Injured passengers were taken to Treliske Hospital in Truro after the crash, which happened at about 2215 GMT on Tuesday. The injured were taken to Treliske Hospital in Truro after the crash, which happened at 2215 GMT on Tuesday.
A police spokesman said one of the women killed was pronounced dead at the scene. The other is believed to have died after being taken to hospital.A police spokesman said one of the women killed was pronounced dead at the scene. The other is believed to have died after being taken to hospital.
It was horrific. I was on the ground with my friend and they were still pulling people out Ann Ellis, passenger
Police said the women were from the west Cornwall area.Police said the women were from the west Cornwall area.
The first police car to arrive at the scene lost control on the same stretch of road and crashed into the overturned coach. The two officers inside the vehicle were not injured.
One of the injured passengers, Ann Ellis, from Illogan, said the scene after the crash was "horrific".One of the injured passengers, Ann Ellis, from Illogan, said the scene after the crash was "horrific".
The 60-year-old added: "All I can remember is a big bang and we just went over and I got trapped under somebody else, it was difficult to breathe but two gentlemen dragged me out.The 60-year-old added: "All I can remember is a big bang and we just went over and I got trapped under somebody else, it was difficult to breathe but two gentlemen dragged me out.
"I'm really shaken, I think we all are."I'm really shaken, I think we all are.
"It was horrific. I was on the ground with my friend and they were still pulling people out. Lots of people walked away, others had to be helped.""It was horrific. I was on the ground with my friend and they were still pulling people out. Lots of people walked away, others had to be helped."
It was horrific. I was on the ground with my friend and they were still pulling people out Ann Ellis, passenger Charles Parker, from St Agnes, who suffered head and leg injuries in the crash, said: "The roads were so icy, I heard a cracking noise and all of a sudden we'd turned over and then I don't remember any more.
"I remember later being helped out of the coach (through) a window. We were close to a house and they took most of the people in there. Then helicopters turned up and took us to Treliske."
The 75-year-old said: "I'm not too bad, my leg hurts more than anything. It could have been a lot worse, but it was very frightening."
Of the 47 people hurt, four are described as seriously injured and the rest are "walking wounded".Of the 47 people hurt, four are described as seriously injured and the rest are "walking wounded".
A police spokesman said the coach would not be recovered until later on Wednesday if the weather allowed.
The coach left the road, hit a tree and ploughed through a hedge before coming to a stop on its side, Devon and Cornwall Police said.The coach left the road, hit a tree and ploughed through a hedge before coming to a stop on its side, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Insp Matt Shaw said: "It seems from initial investigations that the coach has slipped on ice. The road is covered in a sheet of ice, it's treacherous, it's difficult to even walk down there."Insp Matt Shaw said: "It seems from initial investigations that the coach has slipped on ice. The road is covered in a sheet of ice, it's treacherous, it's difficult to even walk down there."
"It's been difficult because of the number of people on board the coach and of course the number of rescue workers and the various agencies involved. It's been extremely busy.""It's been difficult because of the number of people on board the coach and of course the number of rescue workers and the various agencies involved. It's been extremely busy."
Police, fire and ambulance staff were at the scene, about seven miles north-east of Penzance, and crash scene investigators are at work.Police, fire and ambulance staff were at the scene, about seven miles north-east of Penzance, and crash scene investigators are at work.
Helicopters from RNAS Culdrose near Helston and RMB Chivenor were sent to help take casualties to hospital in Truro because the roads were too treacherous, said police.Helicopters from RNAS Culdrose near Helston and RMB Chivenor were sent to help take casualties to hospital in Truro because the roads were too treacherous, said police.
Forecasters said the temperatures in Cornwall on Tuesday night would have been as low as -1C (30F) but could have been lower in isolated spots.Forecasters said the temperatures in Cornwall on Tuesday night would have been as low as -1C (30F) but could have been lower in isolated spots.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Minor and side roads in the area are extremely icy and anyone travelling is asked to consider the need for their journey."A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Minor and side roads in the area are extremely icy and anyone travelling is asked to consider the need for their journey."
The coach is believed to belong to a local firm rather than a nationwide operator.The coach is believed to belong to a local firm rather than a nationwide operator.
A phone line - 0800 056 0154 - has been set up for concerned relatives.A phone line - 0800 056 0154 - has been set up for concerned relatives.


Have you been caught up in events? Do you have any information to share? Send us your comments using the form below:Have you been caught up in events? Do you have any information to share? Send us your comments using the form below:
Send your pictures and video to to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and video to to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions