VIDEO: schoolchildren evacuated after coach fire

Year Nine pupils along with staff members from Bromsgrove School were travelling back from an activity camp at Symonds Yat in Herefordshire yesterday (June 14) when their coach overheated on the A449 in Prestons Cross.

Luckily thanks to the quick actions of the driver, everyone was evacuated before the coach burst into flames.

Bromsgrove School confirmed all pupils safely arrived back at school.

Images captured after the incident show the coach completely destroyed and burnt out.

The coach was completely detsroyed. (Image: Ledbury Fire Station)

Kidderminster-based Whittles Coaches, which provided the vehicle for the trip, posted on Facebook yesterday (June 14): “We are aware of a vehicle fire earlier this afternoon involving one of our coaches on a routine private hire on the A449 Prestons Cross, we can confirm a fire broke out when the vehicle was stationary and all passengers and staff were immediately evacuated to safety and there were no reported injuries.

The coach burst into flames after overheating (Image: Ledbury Fire Station)

“Rest assured we are investigating this thoroughly.”

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said: “The fire service was in receipt of a 999 call at 12:30pm on June 14, a large vehicle on fire on the A449 at Preston Cross.

All passengers were evacuated from the coach. (Image: Ledbury Fire Station)

“Appliances from Ledbury, Hereford, and Ross on Wye were mobilised to extinguish the fire that involved a 52-seater coach.

“All passengers had evacuated and were accounted for. The A449 was closed for the duration of the incident whilst the vehicle was to be recovered and a second coach arrived to collect the passengers.

The coach was carrying staff and students from Bromsgrove School. (Image: No credit.)

“The fire service left the scene at 2:40pm and handed over to the Highways department.”

A video sent to the Advertiser shows fire ripping through the rear of the coach.