Southend school pupils were injured today when their bus crashed head-on with a car.

The terrifying smash happened at a notorious accident blackspot as the double-decker bus made its way through Billericay towards Southend.

The bus, which takes youngsters from Chelmsford to Southend schools, had pupils from Southend High School for Boys, Westcliff Boys and Girls' Schools and St Thomas More on board.

The First Eastern National bus was involved in a crash with the Rover car as it travelled along Potash Road shortly after 7.30am today. It is thought the driver of the bus may have collapsed at the wheel.

Paramedics raced to the scene to deal with up to 25 children of the 40 travelling on the bus who were left shocked and upset.

One girl suffered a slight head injury and was treated at the scene. Others suffering whiplash, bumps and bruises were taken to hospital.

Both the driver of the bus and car were taken by ambulance to Basildon Hospital. Neither are believed to be seriously injured.

Nine ambulances and a paramedic on a motorbike attended the accident. It is believed nine walking wounded were taken to Basildon Hospital while ten children were taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford for a check-up, but the figure could be as high as 25.

Police closed the road and set up a diversion for traffic.

Pauline Bowles, who lives directly opposite the scene of the crash in Potash Road, said: "I was in my house and I heard a screech and a crash. I said 'Oh God, there has been an accident' and I came running out of the house. I could see the bus and a car in the fence."

Mrs Bowles said a brave boy from the bus was stood in the road phoning the emergency services. He handed the phone over to her when he could not describe the location of the crash.

Another resident of Potash Road, Gabrielle Davies, said she would like to commend the children who sat patiently on the bus following the accident.

She added: "They were resourceful and very responsible and they organised themselves.

"They were concerned about the car driver."

Both residents described the narrow corner of Potash Road as dangerous and said they had pleaded with Basildon Council for large vehicles to be banned from using the route.

Michael Frampton, headteacher from Southend High for Boys and Elizabeth Marlon, head of year seven at Westcliff High for Boys, went straight to Basildon Hospital to see the pupils involved.

Around 20 students from Westcliff High School for Girls were on the bus and headteacher Patricia Elliott was also at hospital to see pupils being treated for minor injuries.

A spokesman for the school said: "We are very thankful they are all okay. It could have been very nasty. They must be very shaken."

Some of the girls who were shaken but unhurt were back at school by 9.45am where they were looked after by staff.

Bob Farrell, who is responsible for liaison between the bus company and the schools who charter the service, said: "Most of the children are badly shaken and have a few grazes and bruises.

"I have had lots of phone calls already from concerned parents."

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