Lucky escape for schoolchildren as coach crashes into scaffold

A coach crashed into scaffolding at a pub in a village on the Shropshire border – just moments after dropping scores of children off at school.

The bus was found wedged in scaffolding at Ye Olde Oak Inn in Wigmore, near Ludlow, shortly before 9am yesterday.

The driver, who had just finished a run to Wigmore School, escaped without injury. Police closed the A4110 between Leintwardine and Mortimer's Cross for most of the day to secure the area.

They had to make sure the building was safe and remove the coach.

The Health and Safety Executive was also informed.

Diversions were put in place for motorists and police and local people devised a one-way system to ensure coaches and parents could access the school and make sure the 620 pupils could make their way home.

Chris Ammonds, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said an investigation would be carried out but added the primary concern of police and fire crews on the scene was to make sure the coach was safely removed.