M25 Crash: 41 Injured As Coach Overturns On Motorway In Kent

Three people taken to hospital with serious injuries.
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The scene on the the M25 exit slip road at J3, at Swanley on the anti-clockwise carriageway, after a coach overturned just before 4pm.
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More than 40 people, including children, have been injured after a coach overturned on the M25 in Kent.

Thirty-one adults and seven children were treated for minor injuries at the scene while three other patients were taken to hospital with more serious injuries.

The incident at Junction Three near Swanley caused major delays.

Lanes one and two anti-clockwise have been closed, as has the exit slip road, causing major delays.

The Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington, Kent, is on major incident alert, a spokesman said.

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A 51-minute delay is expected with traffic queues stretching back five miles, Highways Agency said.

Police, ambulance and fire services were called to the scene at the M25 at Swanley just before 4pm.

Coach hire company Green’s of London confirmed that the overturned coach was one of theirs.

“One of our coaches has been in accident but everybody is OK,” Janis Grover, director of Green’s said. “We are just dealing with the police now.”

In a statement, Kent Police said they were called at around 4pm to reports was to reports of a collision involving a coach on the anti-clockwise carriageway of the M25 near to junction 3.

“Officers are currently at the scene with South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

“There are delays to traffic and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes where possible.”

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A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service earlier said firefighters were using cutting gear to free two people trapped.

Three fire engines and “several vehicles from the heavy rescue team” were sent out “as a precaution”, he added.

Kent Police’s road policing unit later revealed the birth of the child and that there were no serious injuries.

It said on Twitter: “Pleased to update no serious injuries with overturned coach at junction 3 M25.

“Proud to see all emergency services working so effectively together.

“And just to make things interesting a baby boy was born at scene.”