Five people taken to hospital after college bus ends up in river near Eastleigh
Hampshire Constabulary said a total of 20 people were onboard the bus
Last updated 26th Jun 2025
A double-decker bus carrying sixth-form college students has crashed off a road and ended up in a river, leaving five people being taken to hospital with two in a "serious but not life-threatening" condition.
The two people who have been taken to hospital with serious injuries have been confirmed by Hampshire Constabulary to be the driver and one passenger.
The Blustar bus carrying pupils from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College came off the road and ended up in a river at Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, at 10.07am on Thursday.
Inspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "It must have been terrifying and my thoughts are very much with what the children and the driver on the bus, who must have had a terrifying experience."
He said a total of 20 people were onboard the bus, 19 of which were passengers.
He also added that several people including the driver were trapped on board when emergency services arrived.
Inspector Tester said: "So there was a lot of bravery shown by many people who were first on scene, who didn't have training to work in water and weren't equipped, but quickly backed up by our fire and ambulance colleagues who did have the right training to make it safe and make it a safe working environment.
"We believe that everyone, every passenger on the bus, was a student heading to Barton Peveril college.
"And I would stress at this point that all of those, all of those people, their families have been notified, and that all has been done so they are in touch with their loved ones.
"There were a large number of specialist resources helping to get people out of the bus.
"Some people had got themselves out of the bus, and it was obviously important to us to triage the injured people. to assess the people who were still stuck in the bus, and to make sure we had accounted for everyone."
A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We have sent multiple units to the incident including five ambulances, two helicopters, and specialist response units.
"We're continuing to support and assess patients on scene. All patients have been removed from the bus."
The college posted on Facebook that an incident centre had been set up for parents and it was "working closely" with police.
It states: "We are aware of an incident involving the College 607 Bus. College staff are working closely with the police to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
"We ask that people do not attend the actual scene. For concerned parents, an incident centre has been established at The Hub at Bishopstoke.
"An officer and college staff will be available at The Hub to provide updates and address any questions you may have."
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We are currently dealing with an incident on Bishopstoke Road in Eastleigh, after College Bus 607 for Barton Peveril students left the carriageway into a river.
"Emergency services are in attendance and the road has been closed so please avoid the area.
"It is anticipated the road may be closed for up to 12 hours for investigation and recovery work.
"Everyone on the bus has been accounted for and all injured persons are being treated by the ambulance service."
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are on scene of an RTC involving one double decker bus that went off the road in Bishopstoke, Eastleigh.
"Fire crews from Eastleigh, St Mary's, Redbridge, Hightown and Portchester are in attendance alongside emergency service colleagues.
"People are asked to avoid the area to help emergency services deal with this incident."
Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: "One of our buses, carrying students to Barton Peveril College, was involved in an incident earlier this morning in Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh.
"Reports suggest the bus left the highway and came to rest in a shallow river.
"There were 19 passengers on-board at the time. Our driver and at least two of the passengers have confirmed injuries, and we are awaiting further updates on the status of others on-board.
"We do not currently have full details of their injuries and are following their progress closely.
"Our thoughts are with everybody involved, and we wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery.
"At this time, we do not know the circumstances behind this incident and are carrying out an immediate investigation. We are also assisting the police as they carry out their own inquiries."