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Cornwall coach crash: Two people dead and 48 injured | Cornwall coach crash: Two people dead and 48 injured |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Two women died and 48 people were injured when a coach careered into a hedge and struck a wall in Cornwall. | |
The coach crashed at Morval, on a steep and winding hill on the approach to the seaside town of Looe. | |
Eight passengers, who were on an Age Concern trip from Exmouth, Devon have been taken to hospital. They are believed to be critically injured. | |
Police said the 57-year-old coach driver had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. | Police said the 57-year-old coach driver had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. |
One woman died at the scene while a second woman was pronounced dead on arrival at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, the Devon and Cornwall force said. | |
Passengers who were not seriously injured were assessed by medics at the scene before returning later to Exmouth to tearful reunions with relatives. | |
All 50 passengers are believed to be in their 60s or older. | |
'Tragic event' | 'Tragic event' |
Exeter-based Carmel Coaches, which owns the vehicle, said: "Carmel Coaches extends our deepest sympathies to those involved in today's accident. | Exeter-based Carmel Coaches, which owns the vehicle, said: "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." |
Steve Dace, of Age Concern, Exmouth, said: "It's been an absolutely dreadful day. | |
"It's been devastating for all concerned and a shock for staff and volunteers at Age Concern. | |
"We have been using the coach company involved for a number of years and they have an excellent reputation. They have done all they can to support those involved in the accident." | |
Terry Perring, who lives nearby, said he could see people being treated by paramedics in the road. | Terry Perring, who lives nearby, 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. | |
"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. | 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. | "There was lots of broken glass around. They were very scared. |
"The emergency services were brilliant. They were here so quickly." | "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. |
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. |
Exmouth mayor John Humphreys said: "I am absolutely devastated and shocked. My heart goes out to all those involved and their families." | Exmouth mayor John Humphreys said: "I am absolutely devastated and shocked. My heart goes out to all those involved and their families." |
Ch Insp Ian Drummond-Smith, of Devon and Cornwall Police, tweeted: "My thoughts with victims & all 999 services dealing with this horrific crash in Cornwall today." | |
Cornwall Air Ambulance tweeted: "Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with all those involved." | |
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