Boy injured in accident with school bus (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Boy injured in accident with school bus

AN investigation is underway today after a nine-year-old boy was hit by a bus outside a Swindon school.

The accident happened at around 8.20am near Oliver Tomkins C of E Junior School, pictured, in Beaumaris Road, Toothill.

The victim, who has not been named, was taken by ambulance to Great Western Hospital with minor injuries.

The packed bus was taking pupils to Ridgeway School in Wroughton.

It is thought several pupils saw the incident and needed comforting by staff.

Head teacher Elizabeth Wood called a special assembly this morning to remind pupils about road safety.

She said: "I did not see the accident but it seems he was in collision with one of the school buses taking children to Ridgeway School.

"It was very upsetting for children who saw the accident both those on board and passers by.

"The boy and his family are in our prayers. In our school assembly this morning I talked to all the children about taking care on the road outside the school."

Earlier the Advertiser learned that the school has been without a crossing attendant for weeks due to recruitment problems.

Mum-of-two Jayne Kiddell, 29, of Tintagel Close, Toothill, said: "This isn't the first time a child has been knocked down here.

"It's got to the stage now where even I'm scared of crossing the road.

"It's so busy, especially before and after school, and you just can't see the traffic coming around the corner."

Mrs Kiddell, whose daughter Kayleigh, eight, is a pupil at the school, added: "The council have spent a fortune on recycling. I would rather the money be spent on making sure children are safe."

A year ago a 10-year-old boy had a lucky escape when a car collided with his bike on the same stretch of road.

The child, who was thrown over the handlebars, escaped serious injury only because he wore a cycle helmet.

Richard Freeman, spokesman for Swindon Council, said: "Clearly there will be an investigation into what happened.

"At this early stage we do not have all the details."

Headteacher Elizabeth Wood called an assembly this morning to remind pupils about road safety.

She said: "I did not see the accident but it seems he was in collision with one of the buses taking children to Ridgeway School.

"It was very upsetting for children who saw the accident both those on board and passers by.

"The boy and his family are in our prayers. In our school assembly this morning I talked to all the children about taking care on the road outside the school."

Earlier the Advertiser learned that the school has been without a crossing attendant for weeks due to recruitment problems.

Mum-of-two Jayne Kiddell, 29, of Tintagel Close, Toothill, said: "This isn't the first time a child has been knocked down here.

"It's got to the stage where even I'm scared of crossing the road.

"It's so busy, especially before and after school, and you can't see traffic coming around the corner."

Mrs Kiddell, whose daughter Kayleigh, eight, is a pupil at the school, added: "The council have spent a fortune on recycling. I would rather the money be spent on making sure children are safe."

A year ago a 10-year-old boy had a lucky escape when a car collided with his bike on the same stretch of road. The child, who was thrown over the handlebars, escaped serious injury only because he wore a cycle helmet.

Swindon Council spokesman Richard Freeman said: "Clearly there will be an investigation into what happened. At this stage we do not have all the details."