Investigation into Surrey coach crash launched

Date: 12/9/2012

Police have launched an investigation into a coach crash which occurred on Monday, leaving three people dead and 50 people with injuries.

The accident happened near Hindhead and involved a coach travelling back from a music festival held on the Isle of Wight.

Bus company Merseypride Travel was operating the coach which had left the Bestival site and was returning to Merseyside when it overturned.

It was travelling along the A3 and left the road on a bend situated between the Hindhead tunnel and an exit for Thursley.

Jerry Kirkby, Surrey Police Assistant Chief Constable, said: "This has been a tragic day for the families of the deceased and a traumatic incident for all those involved."

The driver of the coach was one of those declared dead at the scene after the accident which took place at 11.50pm and resulted in the vehicle hitting a tree.

Survivors were taken to Southampton General Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, St George's Hospital in Tooting, King's College Hospital in London, Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

Early indications suggest that the road conditions and the weather were not contributing factors to the accident.

A statement from Bestival organisers said: "This is devastating news. Our thoughts are with the relatives of those affected by this tragic incident. We are currently liaising with Surrey Police to establish the facts."

The families of the three people who were killed have been informed and eleven of those who were injured remain in hospital.

Mr Kirkby said: "Surrey Police has been working tirelessly to keep people informed and it will be some time before the full facts have been established."

The executive coach was designed to seat 51 people and was 16-years-old when the accident which did not involve any other vehicles occurred.

One of the lines of inquiry is to be whether or not the coach was overloaded with passengers, which may have contributed to the accident.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

Transport Research News and Vehicle Safety News