Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

One dead and several passengers rushed to hospital after 52-seater-bus crash on bridge

Fire crews declared a major incident on Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire

Holly Evans
Tuesday 05 September 2023 15:41 EDT
Comments
One dead and several in hospital after bus crashes on Pembrokeshire bridge

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A person has died and another remains in critical condition after a 52-seater bus crashed in Pembrokeshire, with several others taken to hospital.

Paramedics rushed nine people to Withybush Hospital while the bus driver was transferred via air ambulance to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Emergency services were called to the Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock in west Wales after a crash occurred at around 14.15 between the bus and a car.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have said that “many passengers” have suffered injuries.

Have you been affected by this incident? If so, email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

Several passengers onboard the 52-seater bus were injured
Several passengers onboard the 52-seater bus were injured (Geogaph/Stephen McKay/CC BY-SA 2.0)

Fire crews from around Pembrokeshire are in attendance as well as an air ambulance who are providing first aid to injured passengers.

The A477 between Pembroke Dock and Haverforwest is closed in both directions.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police are in attendance at a road traffic collision which occurred on the A477 near the Cleddau Bridge, Pembroke Dock at about 2.15pm today, Tuesday, September 5th.

“The collision involved a car and a coach. Sadly, one person has died. Next of kin have been advised and are being supported by officers.

“One person was taken to hospital in a critical condition. A number of passengers on the coach were taken to hospital with various levels of injuries.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called today, Tuesday 5 September, at approximately 2.14pm, to reports of a road traffic collision on the A477.

“We sent five emergency ambulances, one duty operations manager, one Cymru High Acuity Response Unit and non-emergency patient transport service vehicles to the scene.

“We were supported by colleagues from the Wales Air Ambulance. We transferred one patient to University Hospital of Wales, and a further nine patients to Withybush hospital for further treatment.”

The Hywel Dda Health Board have issued an urgent request for people to only attend A&E at Withybush Hospital if they are suffering from a life-threatening illness or injury.

They said: “We are aware of a serious road traffic incident affecting the Cleddau Bridge, near Neyland in Pembrokeshire.

“The incident is being managed by the relevant emergency services. In order for us to support the incident response, we’re asking people to only attend A&E at Withybush Hospital if you have a life-threatening illness or serious injury, such as: Severe breathing difficulties; severe pain or bleeding; chest pain or a suspected stroke or serious trauma injuries (e.g. from a car crash).

“To ensure that we can treat patients appropriately, we urge you to choose your healthcare services very carefully, so that we are only seeing people with urgent or emergency care needs in A&E.”

Firecrews from Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Tenby and Narberth crews attended the scene and assisted with a “severely trapped” driver.

Wales’ first minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: “Worrying to hear news of a major incident on the Cleddau Bridge. Details are still emerging.

“My thoughts are will all those involved and my thanks to the first responders and emergency services working at the scene.”

More follows on this breaking news story

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in