Bus driver dies at scene of crash involving school children

By Jonathan McCambridge and Bairbre Holmes (Press Association)

The driver of a school bus which crashed in Co Armagh on Tuesday has died, police have confirmed.

The bus was carrying 40 pupils from St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook, but none of them were seriously injured.

The PSNI said the single-vehicle incident happened in the Tullyah Road area of Belleeks between Newtownhamilton and Camlough.

A spokesperson said: “The driver of the vehicle sadly passed away at the scene.

“No other injuries have been reported at this time.

“The road was closed for a period of time but has since reopened.”

It is understood the incident is being treated as a sudden death.

In a statement on social media, Quinn Coaches, confirmed that one of its drivers had died in the crash.

The statement said: “Our first thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.

“He was a respected and experienced member of our team, and he will be greatly missed.

“We are relieved to confirm that no children were injured during the incident.

“The safety and wellbeing of our drivers and passengers is always our highest priority.”

Daithi Murray, principal of St Paul’s High School, said students were making their way home on school transport when the incident occurred.

He said all the pupils are safe and have been collected by their parents.

In a letter to families, he said: “We appreciate that this will have caused a significant shock to pupils who experienced the incident.”

Mr Murray added that members of the Education Authority’s Critical Incident Response Team will be at the school on Wednesday “to support pupils affected by the incident”.

He encouraged pupils “if they feel well enough” to attend school on Wednesday and that “staff will signpost them to the support services available”.

Mr Murray added: “The thoughts and prayers of the St Paul’s community are extended to everyone affected by this serious incident.”

Sinn Fein MLA for Newry and Armagh Aoife Finnegan said the driver “was carrying out his work when this tragedy occurred, and his loss has had a deep impact on the local community”.

“While there is relief that no children were seriously injured, today our focus is on a life that has been lost,” she wrote on social media.

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows offered condolences to the family of the driver.

“This is a profound loss for his family, for St Paul’s High School, and for the wider community. May his memory be a blessing,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Education Authority confirmed the incident involved a school bus operated by a privately contracted provider and said: “Our thoughts go out to all of those impacted by the incident.”

Emergency services attended the crash which happened on the Tullyah Road.