59 school children escape coach fire that caused M6 delays

THERE were long delays on the M6 motorway during rush hour last night after a coach carrying school children caught fire.

59 children and seven staff were safely off the coach before it burst into flames, although 13 children and the coach driver were later assessed for smoke inhalation.

Traffic on the M6 northbound near junction 3A was affected for more than four hours during the evening rush hour, with delays of up to 90 minutes, as the incident required the carriageway to be completely shut twice.

Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a senior paramedic officer were sent to the scene at around 3.40pm.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews were greeted by the sight of a double decker bus that had been reduced to smouldering remains.

“Thankfully the 59 children and 7 staff on board, who come from the Black Country, were safely sitting on a second coach that had stopped to offer assistance.

“This could clearly have been a much more serious incident but for the quick actions of the coach drivers, teachers and children.”