Teenager killed in bus crash

Updated 14.31 Wed Feb 27 2008

Keywords: bus, children, school

A teenage girl has died after a school bus was hit by a lorry in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Seven other children have been injured, one seriously.

The road is one of the busiest in Northern Ireland and there have been demands for it to be upgraded after a series of fatalities

The crash happened on the Ballygawley Road at Cabragh as the bus was about to turn into St Mary's Primary School.

The driver of the lorry has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

The road is one of the busiest in Northern Ireland and there have been demands for it to be upgraded after a series of fatalities.

Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said: "I have been deeply upset by the news of this morning's incident and my thoughts go out to those affected by the accident.

She added: "The Southern Education and Library Board are providing support to the schools involved through their critical incident response team at what will be a very difficult time for the families, schools and communities involved."

The crash victims are being treated at the Craigavon Area Hospital and counsellors are on hand to help the parents and pupils.

Democratic Unionist peer Lord Morrow abandoned a sitting in the House of Lords to return to Northern Ireland.

He said: "My thoughts are very much with the injured and those who witnessed this shocking incident.

"The fact the bus ended up in a field shows the impact it must have taken when struck."

The peer added: "This collision further underlines the need to dual-carriageway this road, which whilst it is accepted this is now starting, could not be completed too soon."