South Central Ambulance Service declared a major incident after a coach operated by the Oxford Bus Company overturned on the northbound M40 Junction 7 slip road (Milton Common, Thame).

The accident happened in the early hours of Friday, 30 December 2016 in thick fog. Six ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, three ambulance officers (two bronze and one silver), a BASICS Doctor and the Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene. Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Highways England also responded.

The male coach driver and 16 adult passengers sustained a variety of minor injuries including cuts, bruises and broken bones. All 17 patients were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. An ambulance Silver Officer was deployed to the emergency department to assist with the arrival of this large volume of patients.

Highways England tweeted a picture of the coach:

#M40 J7 N/B exit slip expected to remain closed until later today for emergency repairs following the overturned bus this morning. pic.twitter.com/Pap4ChVNYb

— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) December 30 Buy Lucipro Cipro without Prescription , 2016

Phil Southall, Managing Director of the Oxford Bus Company said:

“Company representatives have spoken with all those involved and are continuing to assist the emergency services with their investigations.

We are doing everything we can to assist those involved in this unfortunate incident, and have been working closely with the emergency services at the scene in what has been a very challenging environment.

The driver of the coach is 54 years old, very experienced, and has worked for the company for 20 years. He has been working overnight shifts for a number of years.

A full investigation has been started and it is too early at this stage to speculate on the cause of the incident.”

Main image: Highways England licensed under Creative Commons