Two 12-year-old boys were seriously injured in a crash involving a school bus and a car on Teesside.
Two 12-year-old boys were seriously injured after a school bus crashed into a crowd of youngsters on Teesside.
A further 19 children and an adult were also hurt when the bus, which was carrying up to 20 pupils, hit a tree in an area busy with schoolchildren.
A further 19 children and an adult were also hurt when the minibus, carrying up to 20 pupils, hit a tree outside English Martyrs School in Hartlepool.
All the injured have been taken to hospitals in the region.
Eyewitnesses described how the Mercedes bus appeared to swerve to avoid a child who had run into the road.
Cleveland Police described the collision, which happened outside English Martyrs School on Catcote Road, Hartlepool, as a major incident.
The two injured boys were airlifted to hospital where their condition is described as poorly but stable.
Many of the injured were pedestrians, as pupils were leaving the school when the accident happened just after 1530 BST.
The collision happened on Catcote Road as pupils were leaving the school on Wednesday just after 1530 BST.
Broken bones
Everyone is very concerned and very worried and our thoughts are with the students in hospital Headteacher Joe Hughes
Eyewitnesses reported that children were trapped beneath the wheels of the bus after it ploughed through a fence and into a tree.
Witnesses said children were trapped beneath the wheels of the Mercedes bus after it crashed through a fence and into the tree.
Peter Murphy, a 14-year-old pupil at the school, said: "There were a lot of groups of children going home when one boy ran out into the road in front of the bus.
"It swerved to try and avoid him and as a result it left the road and ploughed into the fence hitting some of the kids in the street.
"Other kids jumped out of the way and were running from the scene screaming."
A fleet of ambulances attended the scene, as well as the air ambulance which used a nearby rugby club as a landing zone.
A fleet of ambulances attended the scene, as well as the air ambulance which used a nearby rugby club as a landing zone.
The two most seriously injured, the 12-year-old boys, were airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where their condition is described as poorly but stable.
The two 12-year-old boys were taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Twelve children were taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton where they were treated for injuries including broken bones. All but two have now been released.
Two other children detained at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, are said to be "comfortable".
Seven children and an adult suffered minor injuries and were taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool. They have all since been released.
All the other casualties, who were taken to the hospitals in Stockton and Hartlepool, were later released after treatment.
Police have set up an incident number for witnesses and concerned relatives. The number is 01642 300 200.
Cleveland Police said it was now investigating the incident, which also involved a Renault car.
The head of English Martyrs School, Joe Hughes, said there there would be a special assembley on Wednesday morning.
An incident number for witnesses and concerned relatives has been set up. The number is 01642 300 200.
"As well as giving an accurate update to all year groups we will hold prayers and reflect together on what has happened."
Sgt Paul Dee said: "I am led to believe that the vast majority of the casualties were pedestrians.
"The driver of the minibus has been spoken to and has given an account of what happened."
The head of English Martyrs School, Joe Hughes, said there would be a special assembly on Thursday morning.
"Everyone is very concerned and very worried and our thoughts are with the students in hospital."
He understood that the minibus was fitted with seatbelts.
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Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this crash? Send us your comments by filling in the form below.
