A39 was NOT gritted yesterday morning before bus overturned in Bridgwater
Somerset County Council's road network was gritted on Monday night, but fresh gritting has not been done on the stretch of road where the bus overturned
Last updated 18th Jan 2023
It's been confirmed today the scene of yesterday's bus crash in Bridgwater had NOT been gritted that morning.
Somerset County Council's gritters had been out and covered the road network on Monday night before the temperatures dropped, but the gritting teams had not yet reached the A39 before the bus overturned.
Yesterday (17/01), the emergency services declared a 'major incident' after the bus - carrying 70 Hinkley Point C workers - crashed on the A39, with reports of the collision also involving a motorbike rider.
The 'critical incident' was later stood-down, with a 'Multi-agency investigation' launched following the incident, in which no fatalities were reported.
Later that day, it was confirmed a 'small number' of the 70 people on board the double decker bus had to receive medical treatment.
26 people were taken to A-and-E, with another 27 treated for minor injuries.
Calls for accountability
Some local residents are now calling for 'accountability' following the incident.
Charis Ware, 45, a cleaning business owner who lives in Sandford Hill, lives nearby and heard the incident.
She said: "Living right next to the A39, traffic is quite severe day and night - this is one of the biggest I've seen in a long time.
"This road is treacherous, especially after heavy rainfall. I've only been a resident here for four years, and I know complaints are put in most winters. All that's seemingly done is signs are put up saying 'it's icy'. That's simply not enough."
The road had been gritted - but not on Tuesday morning
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio today, we've heard from Councillor Bill Evans, leader of Somerset County Council, who said: "We will have to learn lessons from the investigation of the incident.
"I have only just been made aware about the concerns of the standing water in that particular area, but I am aware the road was gritted the previous evening.
"The gritter was a short distance away from where the incident happened, so it had not been gritted that morning.
"Whether that had made a difference, we're not quite sure yet."
Somerset County Council are today reiterating their message that - in such icy conditions - drivers must only drive if necessary, and drive with extra caution.
A spokesperson from the authority said: "To be clear, all main routes were gritted yesterday afternoon/evening before temperatures dropped and there was a further gritting operation across the county the following morning.
"We were on our way to this location during this second operation but the incident occurred before the gritter arrived.
I think it’s important to remember the majority of roads aren’t gritted and never have been. Ice can still form on gritted roads which is why we echo the advice of our Avon and Somerset Police colleagues to only travel when it is necessary and to proceed with extreme caution if you are using our roads."
You can read more here: Multi-agency investigation underway after bus carrying 70 people overturns in Bridgwater