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Driver killed as two buses crash Driver killed as two buses crash
(40 minutes later)
The driver of a bus was killed and a number of passengers badly hurt when his vehicle collided with a coach in County Durham.The driver of a bus was killed and a number of passengers badly hurt when his vehicle collided with a coach in County Durham.
The incident happened in the Newfield area of Chester-le-Street at about 1600 GMT on Wednesday. Police said the incident happened in Newfield, near Chester-le-Street, at about 1600 GMT on Wednesday.
The bus was carrying several people, including a number of elderly passengers. The larger coach was not carrying anybody.The bus was carrying several people, including a number of elderly passengers. The larger coach was not carrying anybody.
The injured were taken to hospitals in Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.The injured were taken to hospitals in Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
I tried to revive him and he was struggling to breathe. All I could do was sit and wait for the emergency services to turn up Eyewitness Paul Northey, who helped at the sceneI tried to revive him and he was struggling to breathe. All I could do was sit and wait for the emergency services to turn up Eyewitness Paul Northey, who helped at the scene
Eyewitness Paul Northey was working in a field close to the scene of the incident.Eyewitness Paul Northey was working in a field close to the scene of the incident.
He said he had tried to help one injured man who was "covered in blood" and had a serious head injury.He said he had tried to help one injured man who was "covered in blood" and had a serious head injury.
He said: "I heard an almighty bang and noticed two buses had hit each other.He said: "I heard an almighty bang and noticed two buses had hit each other.
"I ran over to see whether everyone was OK and saw one man with blood all over his head."I ran over to see whether everyone was OK and saw one man with blood all over his head.
"I tried to revive him and he was struggling to breathe. All I could do was sit and wait for the emergency services to turn up.""I tried to revive him and he was struggling to breathe. All I could do was sit and wait for the emergency services to turn up."
William Robinson, 47, a railway ticket enforcement officer of North View, who was also quickly on the scene, added: "The driver of the bus was slumped across the handrail.William Robinson, 47, a railway ticket enforcement officer of North View, who was also quickly on the scene, added: "The driver of the bus was slumped across the handrail.
"He was in a very poor condition. We tried to get the doors open and in the end we had to go in through the back."He was in a very poor condition. We tried to get the doors open and in the end we had to go in through the back.
"The driver had no pulse and obviously he had died straightaway. It must have been instant.""The driver had no pulse and obviously he had died straightaway. It must have been instant."
Gary Bell witnessed "total carnage"Gary Bell witnessed "total carnage"
Mr Robinson said he then went to check on the welfare of the passengers while he waited for the emergency services.Mr Robinson said he then went to check on the welfare of the passengers while he waited for the emergency services.
He added: "It was the worst accident I have ever seen and it is unbelievable it happened on a small road like this.He added: "It was the worst accident I have ever seen and it is unbelievable it happened on a small road like this.
"I cannot work out what has happened. It is just fortunate that neither bus was full.""I cannot work out what has happened. It is just fortunate that neither bus was full."
Other eyewitnesses said the bus, which was operating a local service around the town, was travelling downhill along North View, while the coach was travelling in the opposite direction.Other eyewitnesses said the bus, which was operating a local service around the town, was travelling downhill along North View, while the coach was travelling in the opposite direction.
Police confirmed three of the injured bus passengers were two women, aged 73 and 50, and a 70-year-old man.Police confirmed three of the injured bus passengers were two women, aged 73 and 50, and a 70-year-old man.
One had suffered a fractured hip and was taken by air ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment,.One had suffered a fractured hip and was taken by air ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment,.
The other two were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.The other two were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.
The North East Ambulance Service said one casualty, believed to be the coach driver, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with critical head injuries, chest injuries and lower leg trauma.The North East Ambulance Service said one casualty, believed to be the coach driver, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with critical head injuries, chest injuries and lower leg trauma.
Speed limit
A police spokesman said: "At present it is known that one person has died and a number of passengers have been injured."A police spokesman said: "At present it is known that one person has died and a number of passengers have been injured."
Two air ambulances were sent to the scene along with several ordinary ambulances.Two air ambulances were sent to the scene along with several ordinary ambulances.
At least one person had to be cut free.At least one person had to be cut free.
Police said the scene of the crash would remain closed for some time.Police said the scene of the crash would remain closed for some time.
Five vehicles from County Durham Fire and Rescue were also sent out.Five vehicles from County Durham Fire and Rescue were also sent out.
Gail McKeith, landlady at the Newfield Inn in Newfield Road, said neighbours were struggling to understand how the crash had occurred.Gail McKeith, landlady at the Newfield Inn in Newfield Road, said neighbours were struggling to understand how the crash had occurred.
She said: "It's not a dangerous road - it's a village with a 30mph speed limit. We don't know how it happened."She said: "It's not a dangerous road - it's a village with a 30mph speed limit. We don't know how it happened."
She said the buses had crashed head-on, in front of a row of bungalows.She said the buses had crashed head-on, in front of a row of bungalows.
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