POLICE have arrested a driver of a coach that was carrying 29 children after it crashed into a ditch earlier today (September 25).

The coach, carrying children from the Bristol area, left the southbound carriageway of the A36 between the Ower roundabout and junction 2 of the M27 just after 5.10am.

Luckily none of the schoolchildren were reported as injured, but one of the four teachers on board suffered a minor leg injury.

Now, the driver, a 48-year-old-man from Hungerford who also suffered minor injuries, has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving whist unfit through drink and/or drugs.

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The force is now appealing for any potential witnesses to get in touch to help the investigation.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we dealt with this and got our investigations underway,” Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said.

“We’re appealing for any motorists who were on that stretch of road around the time of the collision to contact us if they saw the coach in the lead up to the incident or if you may have any dash cam footage, which could assist with our investigation.”

The road is now reopen following a complex recovery of the coach from the ditch.

Reports can be made by calling 101 using reference 44250432585 or report online via the police website.

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