A schoolgirl was hurt after a school coach and an empty bus were involved in a crash.

The coach carrying about 35 schoolchildren was on its way to Brantham when the accident happened.

The First Eastern Counties bus was also travelling towards Brantham on route to pick up children going to East Bergholt High School.

One girl on the coach suffered a cut to her hand and hit her head. She was taken to Colchester General Hospital by ambulance.

But coach driver Michael Dighton, 52, of Ipswich, said it could have been much worse.

Mr Dighton was driving a coach belonging to M D Travel Hire from Ipswich to Holbrook High School near Shotley.

He had stopped to pick up another girl pupil outside Wallers Farm, Brantham, on the A137 when the accident happened.

He said: "I had just stopped to pick a girl up by the side of the road and I felt the collision. All the children started screaming. I went up to see if anyone was hurt.

"One girl had minor injuries. She had banged her head and cut her hand. I called the police and the emergency services on the mobile phone.

"I was shaken but I was more concerned about the children. It could have been a lot worse."

A total of six ambulances were sent to the crash on the A137 after the crash happened at about 8.30am.

The Essex Air Ambulance was also sent as fears mounted about possible multiple casualties.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "Fortunately it was not as serious as we first thought."

An investigation of the crash is now being dealt with by Suffolk police and anyone with information should contact them on 01473 613500

(Both pictures) The coach and bus involved in the crash

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