One person was killed and 44 injured when a bus careered off a bridge in Staffordshire.
One person has been killed and 44 injured as a bus careered off a bridge in Staffordshire.
The double decker collided with a car before falling about 45ft from a bridge over the River Churnet near Alton Towers theme park just before 1800 BST.
The double decker collided with a car, before falling about 45ft from a bridge over the River Churnet near Alton Towers theme park just before 1800 BST.
Three people were seriously hurt, one with head injuries. Seven others are trapped inside the bus, which is on its roof next to the river.
Three people were seriously hurt, one with head injuries. Seven others are trapped inside the bus, which is on its roof next to the river.
It is believed the passengers are not from the UK.
It is believed the passengers are not from the UK.
The ambulance service said there were several walking wounded.
The ambulance service said there were several walking wounded.
Two air ambulances, 10 land ambulances, five rapid response vehicles and five fire engines have been sent to the scene.
Two air ambulances, 10 land ambulances, five rapid response vehicles and five fire engines have been sent to the scene.
Bradley Ford, who lives at the nearby Alton Bridge Hotel, told BBC News he had helped with casualties.
Bradley Ford, who lives at the nearby Alton Bridge Hotel, told BBC News he had helped with casualties.
He said: "I heard this massive crash, rumble, of either crunching metal or what sounded to me initially as a thunderstorm as it was heavily raining before.
He said: "I heard this massive crash, rumble, of either crunching metal or what sounded to me initially as a thunderstorm as it was heavily raining before.
"Then after that we heard shouts and screams so we obviously put it down to a crash.
"Then after that we heard shouts and screams so we obviously put it down to a crash.
"When I got to the scene there was a bus overturned, it looked like it had ploughed into a car and then down a neighbour's driveway into the garden.
"When I got to the scene there was a bus overturned, it looked like it had ploughed into a car and then down a neighbour's driveway into the garden.
"There were many walking wounded, all being seen to by the ambulance staff."
"There were people climbing out of the fire exits on the bus. There were many walking wounded, all being seen to by the ambulance staff."
The collision happened on the road between Alton and the theme park, which is about one mile away.
The collision happened on the road between Alton and the theme park, which is about one mile away.
The staff canteen at the theme park has been set aside to provide shelter and refreshments.
The staff canteen at the theme park has been set aside to provide shelter and refreshments.
The bus is not connected to Alton Towers, a spokesman said.
The bus is not connected to Alton Towers, a spokesman said.
Did you witness the crash? Send us your eye witness accounts using the form below.
Did you witness the crash? Send us your eye witness accounts using the form below.
