BREAKING: 58 people injured in school bus crash in Co Down

A total of 58 people have been injured in a school bus crash in Co Down this evening (Monday)

Eight received medical treatment at the scene after the bus overturned near Newtownards.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said a further 50 people have sustained minor injuries, or avoided injury, in the crash in Co Down.

Four people were taken to hospital.

Emergency services and a specialist rescue team attended the scene on the Ballyblack Road East near Carrowdore on Monday afternoon.

More than 60 passengers were on the bus, with images on social media showing the double-decker on its side in a field.

A spokesperson for the NIAS said: "A bus carrying more than 60 passengers has overturned.

"NIAS has dispatched multiple resources to the scene including doctors, emergency crews, advanced paramedics, rapid response paramedics, ambulance officers and the Air Ambulance with HEMS crew on board.

"Over 50 of the passengers have minor injuries, if any, with eight patients being treated for more significant injuries at the scene.

"The situation is ongoing and NIAS will release more information as it becomes available."

The PSNI described the incident as a "serious road traffic collision".

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: "Five fire appliances and the specialist rescue team are currently at the scene of a road traffic collision involving an overturned bus."

The mother of a boy on a school bus which crashed in Northern Ireland has told how she could hear pupils screaming over the phone after the vehicle turned over.

Dylan Lee, 12, a year eight pupil at Strangford Integrated College, was with his mother Stacey Lee following the crash on the Ballyblack Road East near Carrowdore.

Dylan said: "I was on the top deck on the right hand side. I was just sitting with my friend. He is fine, he just hurt his arm.

"The bus hit a post and it started to stall and went down this hill. It just started shaking. I closed my eyes and then I opened them and I was on the floor."

He added: "The first thing I did when I got up was to phone my mum."

Stacey Lee said her son had a lump and a cut on his head.

She said: "I could hear him screaming that he had crashed and I could hear all the kids in the background screaming. It was awful."

Dylan sad: "Then there was this guy came down with a hammer and the windows were all being smashed so we could get out.

"I was crawling under stuff like railings and school bags and stuff. It was on its side in the field."

The South Eastern health trust said it was responding to the major incident: "Our staff in the emergency department are preparing to treat anyone who needs our care.

"We would ask any patient not requiring emergency care to please use alternative services. If your condition is life-threatening, please visit the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital as normal."

Local SDLP representative Will Polland said concerns had been raised multiple times about the road where the crash occurred.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said four people are being treated in hospital following a school bus crash in Northern Ireland.

A NIAS spokesperson said: "Following a road traffic incident this afternoon in the Carrowdore area, the Northern Ireland Ambulance declared a major incident, based on the number of resources required to attend the incident.

"Initial reports indicated that approximately 70 people were on board the bus. This figure has been revised to 43 and a driver.

"NIAS has assessed and treated patients at the scene, with four currently requiring further treatment at hospital.

"The remainder have either been, or are in the process of being assessed with a view to discharging at the scene.

"As this remains an ongoing incident, NIAS will provide further updates as appropriate."