Schoolgirl dies as coach and car crash in Walsall

A Renault Clio and an Adams Tours coach taking pupils to Shelfield Academy collided in Valley Road, Blakenall, Walsall, at 8.20am on Monday.

The girl is thought to be a teenager, but has not been identified. The injured woman and boy are believed to be her mother and brother.

• Tragic Walsall crash schoolgirl named as Natasha Whale, 13

She had been travelling in the back seat of the car and was confirmed dead at the scene.

The female driver of the car was treated for serious multiple injuries and was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

The front seat passenger, a teenage boy, was treated for pelvic injuries and was taken to the same hospital for further assessment and treatment.

Their injuries have been described potentially life-threatening. The next of kin of the injured and deceased have been informed and are being supported by specialist police officers.

A major police investigation has been launched and house to house inquiries are being carried out.

Inspector Paul Bennett, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a serious collision which has resulted in the tragic death of a young girl and badly injured a woman and another child.

"We're working hard to understand what led to the collision and I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time and who has not yet spoken to us to contact my officers as a matter of urgency. Our thoughts remain with all of those affected by the incident."

Seven children from Shelfield Community Academy in Pelsall were on the coach at the time of the collision but were not injured.

In a statement on the school's website, Shelfield Academy said: "We can confirm that a coach carrying Shelfield students was involved in a road traffic accident this morning.

"All students who were travelling at the time are safe and their parents have been informed of the incident."

Students on board the coach were being given support today.

One woman, who was at the scene but did not want to be named, said: "My mum phoned me this morning to tell me to be careful because the road was shut because of an accident. She thought a bus had gone into a wall but it turned out it was the coach.

"It would not have been coming up this road if it was not for the diversion. It normally uses Green Rock Road but that is closed because of roadworks. Valley Road is now getting buses coming down here as a result and people have been complaining of damage to their cars."

The students on the coach were badly shocked but unhurt. They were taken to school on another bus and are being given support by the school and their families.

Chris Nice, spokesman for Bloxwich-based Adams Tours, said: "We don't know exactly how the incident occurred. It was an Adams Tours 53-seater coach that was doing its usual school run to Shelfield Academy. It had only done one pick-up on Green Rock Lane. The vehicle was in collision with a small car."

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Suzie Fothergill said: "The driver of the car, a woman, was treated for serious multiple injuries.

"Due to the nature of her injuries, the doctor from the air ambulance gave the woman an anaesthetic at the scene before she was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

"The front seat passenger, a teenage boy, was treated for pelvic injuries and was taken to the same hospital, via land ambulance, for further assessment and treatment.

"The rear seat passenger, a girl, was assessed by ambulance crews at the scene but unfortunately it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save her and she was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene.

"The driver of the coach, a man, was assessed and discharged by ambulance crews at the scene."