Bus driver released on bail

One critically injured man has been flown to the Royal London Hospital, four patients have been taken to Colchester Hospital with serious but non- life-threatening injuries. The front right corner of the bus, where the driver sits, appears to have collided with the steam engine, mangling the front of the bus.

A bus driver arrested after a crash in East Mersea in Essex has been released on police bail.

The East of England Ambulance Service said seven ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and two air ambulances attended.

“The bus was carrying 32 people, four of whom have serious injuries and have been taken to Colchester General Hospital”.

The bus is believed to be going to nearby Colchester and the lorry had travelled from Lowestoft.

The road remained closed for most of the day.

The HGV was a white low-loader lorry which was carrying a black static steam engine.

Now the road is closed between Haycocks Lane/Chapmans Lane and Colchester Road (B1025).

Pictures from the scene show the steam engine lying on its side on the road, beside the lorry. According to an Essex Police spokesman none of those six people’s conditions have worsened but it is believed they are still in hospital. “Crews used specialist cutting equipment to release two casualties trapped”.

In a statement First Essex, which runs the number 67 bus service, said the company’s emergency management procedures had been activated and staff were providing support to the emergency services.

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police or anyone with information about events leading to the collision should contact PC Jenny Pirie of Essex Police on 101.

Gary Baines, a manager at the ambulance service, said: “The collision has caused injuries to 18 people who our crews have been working as quickly as possible to treat and stabilise”.