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Cornwall coach crash: Two people dead and 48 injured | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two people have died and 48 people have been injured in a crash in Cornwall when a coach hit a wall. | |
Eight people have been critically injured, police said. The vehicle was heading towards Looe between Sandplace and Widegates when it crashed. | |
Eleven people have been taken to hospital by air and land ambulance, Devon and Cornwall Police added. | |
The force said a 57-year-old man from Exeter had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. | |
It described the other passengers as "walking wounded". | |
A woman died at the scene while a second woman was pronounced dead on arrival at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, the force said. | |
It added that most of the passengers were believed to be in their 60s or older. | |
'Tragic event' | 'Tragic event' |
The coach was on a day trip from Exmouth, in Devon, said the coach owner, Carmel Coaches which is based in Exeter. | The coach was on a day trip from Exmouth, in Devon, said the coach owner, Carmel Coaches which is based in Exeter. |
A statement on the company's website reads: "Carmel Coaches extends our deepest sympathies to those involved in today's accident. | |
"We are co-operating with the authorities in the investigation of this tragic event." | "We are co-operating with the authorities in the investigation of this tragic event." |
Terry Perring, who lives nearby, said: "I was told that the driver had problems with the brakes as he came past the Snooty Fox public house at the top of the hill. | Terry Perring, who lives nearby, said: "I was told that the driver had problems with the brakes as he came past the Snooty Fox public house at the top of the hill. |
"He'd been trying to stop the coach, I suppose, by running it into the hedge all the way down the hill this far." | "He'd been trying to stop the coach, I suppose, by running it into the hedge all the way down the hill this far." |
He said he could see people being treated by paramedics in the road. | He said he could see people being treated by paramedics in the road. |
"The rest of the emergency services had a staging alongside the coach and were taking out the windows of the coach and the seats to extract other passengers. | "The rest of the emergency services had a staging alongside the coach and were taking out the windows of the coach and the seats to extract other passengers. |
"But we didn't have any idea at all what sort of injuries or anything anybody had at that time." | "But we didn't have any idea at all what sort of injuries or anything anybody had at that time." |
Tracey Chudleigh, who was one of the first motorists on the scene, said: "The passengers were very shaken. Several were coming off covered in blood. | |
"There was lots of broken glass around. They were very scared. | |
"The emergency services were brilliant. They were here so quickly." | |
Those who are able to walk were assessed by doctors at a nearby village hall. | Those who are able to walk were assessed by doctors at a nearby village hall. |
A spokesman for the police said: "The collision has been declared a major incident and numerous emergency services are at the scene dealing with the collision." | A spokesman for the police said: "The collision has been declared a major incident and numerous emergency services are at the scene dealing with the collision." |
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said three crews had attended the crash. | Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said three crews had attended the crash. |
Three air ambulances, two from Devon and one from Cornwall, were sent to the scene. | Three air ambulances, two from Devon and one from Cornwall, were sent to the scene. |
Two search and rescue helicopters also attended, one from RNAS Culdrose, near Helston in Cornwall, and one from RMB Chivenor, near Barnstaple in Devon. | Two search and rescue helicopters also attended, one from RNAS Culdrose, near Helston in Cornwall, and one from RMB Chivenor, near Barnstaple in Devon. |
The A387 at Morval has been closed to traffic. | The A387 at Morval has been closed to traffic. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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