Thursday 13th November – 12.55pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.
More than 60 people, including 53 school children, have been assessed by ambulance crews for smoke inhalation.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the M42 southbound, between junctions five and four, shortly after 10.10am this morning and sent an ambulance, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer, a senior ambulance officer, two doctors and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We were called to reports of a large number of patients who had suffered smoke inhalation after exhaust fumes from the coach they were travelling were believed to have started entering the passenger cabin.
“A total of 53 school children, eight members of staff and the coach driver were all safely taken off the vehicle and moved behind a barrier away from the roadside.
“Crews then began assessing the patients and once it was determined that no one was seriously injured, they were moved back on to the coach out of the cold. By this stage it had been determined that the coach was safe for them to return to.
“Once back on the coach, the patients had their carbon monoxide levels checked, after which it was determined that no one required hospital treatment and all 62 patients were discharged at scene.
“A second coach was sent to the scene to provide the school children with onward travel.”
Ends