Wednesday 26th November – 6.45pm – Suzie Wheaton.
Almost 40 people, including 34 school children, were involved in an incident on the M40 this evening.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the southbound carriageway of the M40 between junctions 16 – 15, shortly after 4.40pm today.
Two ambulances, five ambulance officers in rapid response vehicles, the Hazardous Area Response Team, a BASICS doctor, and the Trust’s MERIT rapid response vehicle, carrying a critical care paramedic and a trauma doctor, were dispatched to the scene.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We were called to reports of a large number of patients who had potentially suffered the effects of smoke inhalation after smoke from the vehicle was believed to have entered the passenger cabin.
“A total of 34 school children, 4 members of staff and the coach driver were all off the vehicle on the crew’s arrival and were safely on the embankment away from the carriageway.
“Fourteen children, believed to be between 11 and 12 years of age, were assessed for the effects of smoke inhalation, two of which required oxygen therapy at the scene.
“All 14 children had their carbon monoxide (co2) levels assessed by ambulance crews before being discharged at the scene with no one requiring any further hospital treatment.
“A second coach was sent to the scene to provide the school children with onward travel.”
Ends