A COACH carrying school children has crashed, prompting a major emergency response and resulting in multiple roads being closed down.
Police, paramedics and an air ambulance are on the scene of a major incident at a Colchester roundabout which connects Spring Lane, Cymbelline Way, and the A12.
In a photo sent to the Gazette a coach, which is said to have children on board, can be seen to have hit a tree after mounting a roundabout.
Eyewitness Nigel Butfield said: "It looks like the coach collided with another vehicle and has hit the roundabout and a tree.
"All the kids are out, and a few are laying down. There is a helicopter on scene as well as multiple ambulances and an ambulance command unit.
"The windscreen has completely caved in."
Matt Simmo also drove past the shocking scene.
He said: "There is a coach carrying loads of school kids crashed on Spring Lane roundabout.
"It looks like the coach has hit a tree in the middle of the roundabout.
"All the emergency services were there before I drove past - there was a helicopter as well in the air.
"There were loads of school kids standing on the roundabout."
Essex Police have now confirmed school children and a driver with "serious injuries" have been taken to hospital after the coach crash.
The coach was carrying students on their way to Colchester County High School For Girls.
The driver of the coach has since been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Some of the children have also been taken to hospital, although none of their injuries are being treated as life-threatening or life-changing.
All parents of the children involved have been updated.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Emergency services remain at the scene.
"The road remains closed and there is a high amount of traffic currently on the A12.
"We ask that road users please find alternative routes and avoid the areas."
As a result of the crash many routes have been closed, including The Avenue of Remembrance and Glen Avenue, while others have been impacted.
Colchester - Incident No 207 - Spring Lane roundabout is closed The Avenue of Remembrance westbound is closed Glen Avenue is also closed. Police are on the scene pic.twitter.com/s5PJHFl8Nf
— Essex Travel News (@Essex_Travel) October 10, 2022
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here