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CRASH investigators are trying to piece together the moments before a car and school bus collision yesterday, which injured five people, including three children.
The Stewarts “Dundee” school bus was on the New England Highway, about 13km north of Glen Innes, just before 8.30am when the crash occurred, seriously injuring the driver and a passenger in the vehicle.
Several ambulance paramedics rushed to the site and assessed some of the school children. Three students were treated on the bus and later transported to Glen Innes Public Hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries.
It’s believed another bus transported the remaining uninjured students to school.
The VRA, along with Fire and Rescue NSW and police, worked with paramedics to treat a couple, aged in their 70s, trapped in the vehicle.
The Tamworth-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to the scene with a doctor on board as the condition of the man became apparent.
The 71-year-old male suffered multiple fractures to his ribs, legs and hips, and was airlifted to Tamworth hospital in a serious condition.
A 70-year-old woman, also in the car, suffered a suspected broken leg and a hand injury. She was transported by ambulance to Tamworth hospital for further treatment.
The accident occurred near the intersection of Yarrowford Rail Rd.
Specialist police from the region’s Crash Investigation Unit, based in Tamworth, were called to the scene, with the bus driver taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
Investigators are now looking into a number of factors, including whether the car failed to stop while the bus was stationary, preparing to turn off the road.
The crash closed the road for several hours, causing long delays for hundreds of motorists.
Diversions were put in place for light and heavy vehicles until the scene was cleared about 3.30pm yesterday.
Investigations are continuing.