PICTURES show the dramatic scene in Colchester after a coach carrying schoolchildren crashed into a tree.
Youngsters have been taken to hospital and the driver left seriously injured after the vehicle left Spring Lane and mounted the roundabout.
A huge emergency service response attended the major incident at about 8.50am after it is understood the coach initially collided with a Nissan.
The coach’s passengers were young students who attend Colchester County High School For Girls, in Norman Way.
Some of the children have also been taken to hospital, although none of their injuries are being treated as life-threatening or life-changing.
Bosses at Colchester County High School have since stated all children have been accounted for and are safe.
The road remained closed this afternoon as Essex Police investigated the scene and made the area safe alongside colleagues from the fire and ambulance services.
Since the incident eyewitnesses have shared first-person account of what they saw with the Gazette.
Nigel Butfield said: "It looked like the coach collided with another vehicle and hit the roundabout and a tree.
"All the kids were out, and a few were laying down. There was a helicopter on scene, as well as multiple ambulances and an ambulance command unit.
"The windscreen was completely caved in."
Matt Simmo also drove past the shocking scene.
He said: "There was a coach carrying loads of school kids crashed on Spring Lane roundabout.
"It looked like the coach had 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."
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