21 children taken to hospital after school bus crash in Dumbarton

MORE than 20 children have been taken to hospital following a crash involving a school bus and a car.

The bus was travelling to Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School in Dumbarton when the collision happened in Renton Road at about 8.40am on Wednesday.

The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) sent six vehicles and an air ambulance to the scene.
One man, thought to be the driver of the car, was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.

West Dunbartonshire Council said a number of pupils were being treated for minor injuries.

In total, 23 patients were taken to two hospitals in Glasgow and Renfrewshire – QEUH and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Nineteen children and two adults were taken by ambulance while the other two children were taken by relatives.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 8.40am today to attend a road traffic collision in Dumbarton.

“We dispatched four ambulances, one patient transport ambulance, one paramedic response unit, our helimed air ambulance and SCOTSTAR emergency medical retrieval service to the scene.

“We can confirm that we have taken a total of 21 patients to two hospitals in Glasgow and Renfrewshire – Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital.

“One male patient was taken by helicopter to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

“Two patients were treated at the scene and travelled to hospital with relatives.”

The bus was carrying pupils from the areas of Balloch and Old Bonhill.

A council spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the crash.

He added: “All affected parents and carers have been informed. Parents needing any information should contact the school.”

Renton Road was closed between Dalreoch station and the slip road to the A82 following the crash.