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Coach crashes on M3 after driver 'loses consciousness' | Coach crashes on M3 after driver 'loses consciousness' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A coach with 26 passengers overturned on the M3 in Hampshire after the driver lost consciousness after feeling unwell, police said. | A coach with 26 passengers overturned on the M3 in Hampshire after the driver lost consciousness after feeling unwell, police said. |
The accident happened at about 18:00 GMT on Sunday on the southbound carriageway, a mile from Fleet services. | |
Hampshire police said eight people had been taken to hospital. All but two have since been discharged. | |
The carriageway was shut from junction 4a to 5 but reopened early on Monday. | |
Passengers on the Dutch-registered coach were travelling to Southampton to begin a cruise. | Passengers on the Dutch-registered coach were travelling to Southampton to begin a cruise. |
Seven of those taken to hospital for medical treatment had minor injuries, a police spokeswoman said. | Seven of those taken to hospital for medical treatment had minor injuries, a police spokeswoman said. |
All of the passengers on board the vehicle were Dutch, she added. | All of the passengers on board the vehicle were Dutch, she added. |
Sgt Lyndon Barrett of Hampshire Constabulary said: "There were 26 passengers on board, plus the driver. The driver had become unwell and lost consciousness and the vehicle left the carriageway." | |
He added: "Passengers have been conveyed to hotels in Southampton where they will meet a cruise ship tomorrow [Monday]." | |
Fourteen ambulances were sent to the scene. | |
Andy Newton of South East Coast Ambulance Service described it as "potentially a very serious incident.". | |
The driver of the coach is said to be in a comfortable condition in Frimley Park Hospital. | |
One female passenger also remains in hospital, with minor injuries. | |
The southbound carriageway was closed for several hours causing long tailbacks. | The southbound carriageway was closed for several hours causing long tailbacks. |