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Marines injured as coach crashes | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A coach carrying 29 Royal Marines bound for Afghanistan has crashed in Gloucestershire leaving one marine and the civilian driver seriously injured. | |
The MoD has confirmed the marines, from 42 Commando based at Bickleigh near Plymouth, were en route to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. | |
Five of the six marines who were taken to Cheltenham General hospital are due to be discharged later. | |
The 39-year-old driver from Plymouth has serious head injuries. | |
He is being treated at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. | |
The remaining personnel on the coach were taken to a nearby pub where they were checked by a doctor and continued on their way. | |
Grit check | |
The coach, operated by Target Travel, crashed into a tree at 0520 GMT on the A40 at Puesdown near Cheltenham. | |
The road was closed following the accident but has since reopened. | |
The injuries to three of the men were originally assessed as critical by Great Western Ambulance staff. | |
Ministry of Defence spokesman Paul Leat said: "We are awaiting a further update on the condition of the remaining Royal Marine following a hospital check up. | |
"The families of those injured in this incident have been informed." | |
Gloucestershire County Council is examining whether the road at Puesdown had been gritted and is due to comment. | |
Earlier at about 0445 GMT a minibus with 14 people on board crashed at Highnam, near the A40 to the west of Gloucester. | |
A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) said the first crash left 12 people injured - one seriously with 11 "walking wounded". | A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) said the first crash left 12 people injured - one seriously with 11 "walking wounded". |