Youngsters had a lucky escape today when their school bus went off the road and hit a telegraph pole.

About 50 pupils from Tendring Technology College were on the double decker bus when the accident happened at about 8.30am.

The bus had picked up students from Weeley and the Thorpe area and was taking them into the senior school site in Rochford Way, Frinton.

Jim Embrey, depot manager for Hedingham Omnibuses at Clacton, said the driver had moved over to make way for another bus to pass in a tight lane.

"It slipped into the ditch and virtually demolished a telegraph pole," he said.

"With all that glass around it is fortunate that no-one was seriously hurt - someone was obviously looking down on us today."

Mr Embrey said the company's first concern was for the children.

Another vehicle was immediately sent to the scene near the junction of Sneeting Hall Lane and Walton Road and all the youngsters were taken into school.

The bus was pulled out of the ditch and taken back to the firm's depot in Stephenson Road, Clacton, where it is being inspected. The driver was not injured in the incident.

Bob Allen, vice-principal at Tendring Technology College, confirmed there were about 50 students on the bus and no-one was seriously hurt.

"At this stage we believe there are only bumps and brusies," he said.

However, you never know what injuries may materialise later."

Mr Allen said the school was concerned about safety of children on home to school transport and would be looking into the incident.

PC Keith Slogett, of Thorpe traffic police, who attended the incident, said there would be no investigation by officers.

"The bus was going slowly and moved on to the ditch which gave way under the weight," he said.

"A number of ambulances were called - but none of them were needed."

The battered bus after the incident

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