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Coach crashes down ditch on M5 in Gloucestershire Coach crashes down ditch on M5 in Gloucestershire
(about 1 hour later)
A coach carrying 53 adults and children from the West Midlands on a day-trip to the seaside has overturned in a ditch off the M5 in Gloucestershire.A coach carrying 53 adults and children from the West Midlands on a day-trip to the seaside has overturned in a ditch off the M5 in Gloucestershire.
The crash happened just before 10:00 BST close to junction 13 for Stroud.The crash happened just before 10:00 BST close to junction 13 for Stroud.
The Highways Agency said it was "a serious incident", but with walking injured.
Five adults and one child were injured, a South West Ambulance Service spokesman said. All of them were said to have minor injuries.Five adults and one child were injured, a South West Ambulance Service spokesman said. All of them were said to have minor injuries.
The passengers were wearing seatbelts. "Without them this could have been a very different picture," police said.
The child was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital, the adults to Southmead Hospital.The child was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital, the adults to Southmead Hospital.
The coach driver had a suspected back injury.
Ch Insp Yan Georgiou from Gloucestershire Police said collision experts were investigating the circumstances.
"What's remarkable is the number of casualties and a really important safety message is starting to emerge.
"The passengers were wearing seat belts, without them this could have been a very different picture," he said.
The coach was operated by Stourbridge-based Prospect Coaches and was taking the group to Weston-super-Mare.The coach was operated by Stourbridge-based Prospect Coaches and was taking the group to Weston-super-Mare.
The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), which represents operators of UK buses, said it understood it was one of four coaches making the same journey.The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), which represents operators of UK buses, said it understood it was one of four coaches making the same journey.
Passengers were collected from a children's centre in West Bromwich at 08:30 BST.Passengers were collected from a children's centre in West Bromwich at 08:30 BST.
The CPT said it had not yet had a chance to speak to the driver or the authorities to find out more about the circumstances leading to the crash.The CPT said it had not yet had a chance to speak to the driver or the authorities to find out more about the circumstances leading to the crash.
Carriageway closed
A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: "We were notified shortly before 10am that a coach had left the southbound M5 motorway close to junction 13, had overturned and landed in a ditch.
"Fifty-four people believed to be of various ages were on board, including the driver.
"The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, and the driver has a suspected back injury, but is conscious.
"Transport is being laid on to convey the passengers from the scene."
The force spokesman said police had received "multiple calls" about the crash and asked witnesses to postpone calls to its 101 non-emergency number until later on Tuesday.
Two air ambulances and three fire engines went on the scene.
The motorway's southbound carriageway is closed while the crash is investigated and it is not known when it will re-open.The motorway's southbound carriageway is closed while the crash is investigated and it is not known when it will re-open.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash.No other vehicles were involved in the crash.