Mother of boy, 12, in horror bus crash heard children ‘screaming’ over the phone as vehicle rolled over
Twelve-year-old Dylan Lee’s terrifying experience on a school bus that crashed in Co Down, Northern Ireland, has shed light on the harrowing incident.
The youngster, who was sitting on the top deck, recounted the moment the bus rolled over.
“It was very scary and noisy. I heard the bang and felt the bus hit something and then it started swerving on the road,” he told Belfast Live.
In the chaotic aftermath, Dylan’s first instinct was to call his mother, Stacey. “I held tight onto my phone and was phoning mum and told her what was happening and she was crying and asking me if I was OK,” he said.
Stacey Lee described the heart-stopping moment she received the call: “All I could hear was screaming and shouting.
“Dylan was shouting ‘mum we’ve crashed, the bus has crashed. I’m alright, I’m alive.'”
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon on the Ballyblack Road East in Carrowdore, near Newtownards and saw the Ulsterbus, carrying pupils from Strangford College, overturn at approximately 3.50pm.
Initially, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) reported up to 70 passengers on board. This figure was later revised to 44, including the driver.
Emergency services swiftly declared a “major incident”. The NIAS dispatched multiple resources, including doctors, emergency crews, advanced paramedics, and the air ambulance.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service sent five appliances and a specialist rescue team to the scene.
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Police asked motorists to avoid the area and implemented diversions following the single-vehicle crash.
Four children were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries following the crash. The NIAS treated and discharged 33 people at the scene.
Initially, eight patients were being treated for more significant injuries. One child was reportedly trapped with their arm stuck, while another’s leg was caught.
Firefighters used specialist cutting equipment to rescue two casualties from the bus.
Several patients have also self-presented at the Ulster Hospital.
The South Eastern Trust had initiated a major incident response, with Emergency Department staff preparing to treat those in need of care.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed gratitude for the emergency services’ response, stating: “I am proud of everyone involved in responding to the major incident today.”
An eyewitness described the scene as “like a battlefield”, highlighting the severity of the crash. Local residents rushed to help, with one man using a hammer to smash windows and drag children to safety.
Dylan Lee recounted having to “crawl under stuff like railings and school bags” to escape the overturned bus. He was left with a lump and a cut on his head.
Footage circulating on social media shows the Translink vehicle tipped over in a field with a shattered windscreen, while young people were being treated by paramedics.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon praised the emergency crews, stating: “It’s been a really harrowing experience for these children. While the injuries may not be life-threatening, we are still not aware to what extent people have been hurt.”
The Ballyblack Road remains closed as police investigate the circumstances of the collision. Diversions are in place.
A casualty centre was initially set up at the school, but all children have now left the scene.
The Education Authority will be working with Strangford College to provide support for affected children in the coming days.
Local councillor Robert Adair described the incident as “every parent’s worst nightmare”, urging the community to pray and give emergency crews space to work.
Translink confirmed the bus was transporting pupils from Strangford College to Bangor and stated they are assisting the PSNI with investigations.
North Down MP Alex Easton called for “a full and thorough investigation into this incident to ensure we understand exactly what happened and to prevent anything like this from occurring in the future.”