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/cornwall/8427599.stm

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 19 Version 20
Two dead, 47 hurt in coach crash Two dead, 47 hurt in coach crash
(10 minutes later)
Two women have died and another 47 people have been injured in a coach crash on a country road in Cornwall.Two women have died and another 47 people have been injured in a coach crash on a country road in Cornwall.
The coach is thought to have skidded on sheet ice and rolled on to its side at Townshend, near Hayle.The coach is thought to have skidded on sheet ice and rolled on to its side at Townshend, near Hayle.
The passengers were returning from a trip to see Christmas lights 14 miles away in Mousehole when the crash happened at 2215 GMT on Tuesday.The passengers were returning from a trip to see Christmas lights 14 miles away in Mousehole when the crash happened at 2215 GMT on Tuesday.
The first police car at the scene also lost control on the ice and crashed into the overturned coach.The first police car at the scene also lost control on the ice and crashed into the overturned coach.
The two officers inside the vehicle were not injured.The two officers inside the vehicle were not injured.
Superintendent Tim Swarbrick said: "It's a tragedy at this time of the year and our thoughts are with the families of all those involved."
It was horrific. I was on the ground with my friend and they were still pulling people out Ann Ellis, passengerIt was horrific. I was on the ground with my friend and they were still pulling people out Ann Ellis, passenger
Superintendent Tim Swarbrick said: "It's a tragedy at this time of the year and our thoughts are with the families of all those involved."
The injured bus passengers were taken to Treliske Hospital in Truro after the crash.The injured bus passengers were taken to Treliske Hospital in Truro after the crash.
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.
Police said the women were from the west Cornwall area and their families have been informed.Police said the women were from the west Cornwall area and their families have been informed.
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."
RNAS Culdrose helicopters airlifted the coach casualties to hospital in Truro
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.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.""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."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, which belonged to a firm based in Camborne, would be recovered later on Wednesday if the weather allowed.A police spokesman said the coach, which belonged to a firm based in Camborne, would be recovered later on Wednesday if the weather allowed.
The coach left the road as it went down a hill, 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 as it went down a hill, 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."
Supt Martin Orpe said the cause of the crash was being investigatedSupt Martin Orpe said the cause of the crash was being investigated
"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."
The operation involved the police, firefighters, coastguards and Cornwall's specialist search and rescue team.The operation involved the police, firefighters, coastguards and Cornwall's specialist search and rescue team.
During the morning, up to 20 police officers remained at the scene, about seven miles north-east of Penzance, and crash scene investigators were at work.During the morning, up to 20 police officers remained at the scene, about seven miles north-east of Penzance, and crash scene investigators were 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, police said.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, police said.
It took four hours to move all the injured passengers to hospital.It took four hours to move all the injured passengers to hospital.
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."
AdvertisementAdvertisement
The coach was taking passengers home from a trip to see Christmas lightsThe coach was taking passengers home from a trip to see Christmas lights


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