The driver of a yellow bus is being urgently sought by police after a woman was seriously injured and 22 others needed treatment- when another coach left the A141 at March today .
The coach, which was carrying 65 people – all believed to agricultural workers heading to Chatteris firm Albert Bartletts - left the road at about 6.15am and ended up in a ditch.
One person, a woman in her 50s, has been taken to Peterborough City Hospital with serious injuries including a broken leg.
A further 22 patients – aged between 17 and 60- were treated at the scene by ambulance crews and a Magpas Helimedix doctor and paramedic.
A Magpas spokesman said: “These patients suffered a combination of head, chest and leg injuries - as well as headaches.
“Fortunately no one endured any life threatening injuries. Five patients were subsequently taken to Peterborough City Hospital in land ambulances for further treatment.”
The road was closed between Mill Hill Garage and Knights End Road. Motorists were advised to avoid the area or expect delays. However, the road has since re-oppened.
Sergeant Simon Goldsmith said: “I am particularly keen to speak to the driver of a yellow bus which was seen in the area at the time of the collision.
“I believe it was heading towards March, coming from the direction of Chatteris on the A141.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the road policing unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The injured woman was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg but she is reported to be the only serious casualty.
The hunt for the driver of the other bus involved was earlier reported by police to have been “potentially in the same carriageway”
Four fire crews, a fleet of ambulances and all roads traffic police units were quick on the scene.
Police said the ambulance service immediately began to attend all the passengers “examining bumps and bruises and the walking wounded”.
One immediate problem facing the emergency services was taking care of the passengers – a relief coach was called to the scene. It is not clear if the passengers intend travelling onto work.
Les Bradley, transport manager for Peterborough-based Bluefox Transport, which owned the overturned coach, said initial reports the vehicle was a 53 seater coach carrying nearly 70 people was incorrect.
“I can categorically, 100 per cent guarantee it is a 70 seater coach. It has been converted and registered to carry 70 passengers. It is registered with VOSA. I have just returned from the scene and I cannot make any further comment at the moment as there is a police investigation, but I wanted to correct the information given about the coach.”
It took some time to recover the vehicle which was off road; the A141 was closed both ways between Knights End Road and the B1101 Wimblington road.
Police initially warned the road could be closed for much of the morning.
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