EMERGENCY DELIVERY
M25 coach crash – baby boy born amid chaos as 7 children among 41 injured after family day out ends in horror
The coach was taking families home from a day at the seaside at Portsmouth, Hants, when the crash unfolded
A BABY boy was born at the roadside moments after a coach taking families home following a day at the seaside overturned on the M25 at rush hour.
Seven children were among the 41 casualties hurt in the horror crash near junction three for Swanley in Kent yesterday.
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Amid the chaos, police confirmed a baby was born just minutes after the collision.
In a tweet, Kent Police Road Policing Unit said: "Proud to see all emergency services working so effectively together. And just to make things interesting a baby boy was born at scene."
They added: "They were caught up in the traffic and stopped next to the scene for medical help. Life so easily could have been lost today instead we have gone home, somewhat late off, knowing that some good news has come from today."
All coach passengers escaped with non life-threatening injuries but Princess Royal Hospital in nearby Orpington was forced to declare a major incident yesterday as they dealt with the dozens of casualties.
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One horrified witness told of his amazement no one died in the crash.
He said: "You could see through the back window people spinning, flying out the window. It was harrowing.
"People were moving but there were various levels of injuries.
"There were four workmen in the van beside my car and they actually got out quickly to free people.
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"They did an amazing job, very impressive. They managed to free 90 per cent of people out in minutes, before the emergency services arrived.
The coach was taking families home from a day at the seaside at Portsmouth, Hants.
Other witnesses described the harrowing scenes that unfolded yesterday after the crash.
Builder Mitchell Melvin, 24, from Sidcup, south-east London, told Mirror Online: "The bus landed on its side.
"I went and got the hammer and smashed the back window. A fence post had went up through the windows. I think the fence stopped the bus from falling down.
"There was lots of screaming. One of the kids was stuck underneath. They had been sitting on the left-hand side bus. The kids were about six or seven years old.
"Some of the passengers were bleeding and had big patches of blood. We were quite lucky.
"The fire brigade said if it had come down on to the slip road they would have been scraping up dead bodies."
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Firefighters freed people trapped in the coach, which ploughed through a barrier and into a ditch just before 4pm.
A spokeswoman for Greens of London, the coach firm involved, told Sun Online: "The coach was taking a group of people home from a day out at the coast in Portsmouth.
"It was coming back to London.
"We have done everything we can to help and police have taken over.
"They are walking, shocked, but everybody is OK."
It is not yet known where the casualties are from, but the coach firm is based in Leyton, East London.
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South East Coast Ambulance Service tweeted: "Following reports of a coach involved in an road traffic collision on the M25 at J3, we have 41 patients.
"Currently, 31 adults and seven children with minor injuries, three other patients with more serious injuries taken to hospital."
The anti-clockwise carriageway was closed and delays were expected throughout the night. Queues have backed up more than seven miles.
A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said three fire engines had been called to reports of a passenger coash leaving the road.
They said: "Working closely with Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service, firefighters secured the vehicle and made the scene safe before assisting in the removal of casualties from inside the coach.
"Crews remain at the scene to assist partner agencies and keep the public safe."
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A spokeswoman from King's College NHS Trust, which runs Princess University Hospital, said: "We've declared a major incident status.
"This means that we're preparing to accept casualties from the incident."
A Kent Police spokesman said they had been called about 4pm yesterday, saying: "Officers are currently at the scene with South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service."
The police spokesman added: "All people aboard the coach have been accounted for and a number of people have received treatment at the scene for minor injuries before being conveyed to local hospitals.
"A further three people have been taken to local hospitals with more serious injuries.
"Specialist recovery for the coach has been arranged however it is anticipated the slip road will remain closed for several hours.
"Motorists are advised to expect delays and, where possible, consider using another route."
Twitter users say the coach ploughed through a barrier and into a ditch.
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A Highways England spokesman said: "In Kent, the M25 anti-clockwise is fully blocked at J3 due to a serious incident.
"The M25 J3 anti-clockwise exit slip road is also closed to allow the emergency services work at the scene.
"Severe delays of over an hour and a half are being measured on the approach to the incident."
King's College NHS says if you are concerned about a loved one, you can call the hospital on 01689 863000.
"Please provide their name, date of birth and your relationship to them. We will take your details and get back to you," a spokesman added.
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