A BUS driver is fighting for his life following a crash which injured 18 people.

The bus collided with a lorry carrying a steam engine on East Road, East Mersea, shortly before 10am.

Police, paramedics and firefighters rushed to the scene.

The driver was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital for emergency treatment.

Fire crews from Colchester and West Mersea had to cut two people, including the driver, free from the vehicles so they could be treated by paramedics.

Seven ambulances and several other vehicles were sent to the scene to treat the more than 30 passengers on the bus.

Four patients have been taken to Colchester Hospital with serious but non- life-threatening injuries.

Eleven patients have been taken to both Colchester and Broomfield hospitals with various minor injuries, and two patients were treated and discharged at the scene.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and is being questioned by police.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “The bus was carrying 32 people.

“A 51-year-old man from Great Yarmouth has been arrested.

“The road is likely to remain closed for most of the day.

“Police believe the lorry travelled from Lowestoft this morning.

“Officers are appealing for anyone who saw it on its journey to contact them.”

The HGV was a white low-loader lorry which was carrying a black static steam engine.

Anyone with information call the Essex Police serious collision investigation unit on 101 or e-mail collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk

 

UPDATE THURSDAY: The 51-year-old man from Great Yarmouth arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until January 3 next year.


The bus driver, who was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, is in a critical but stable condition this morning.