Stamford child falls from coach after Norfolk rugby festival
A nine-year-old boy has suffered "life-threatening injuries" after falling from a coach on the A47 in Norfolk.
The boy fell from the double-decker at Tilney All Saints, near King's Lynn, at 15:45 BST on Sunday.
He was initially taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital but was transferred to a specialist unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on Monday.
Police said the boy, from Stamford Rugby Club in Lincolnshire, fell from a door near a toilet on the coach.
Children, accompanied by parents, all from the rugby club, were returning home on the coach after playing in a tournament at Holt in north Norfolk.
The boy's father was travelling on the coach while his mother was in a car as part of a convoy, police said.
The boy suffered injuries to his legs and head, the East of England Ambulance Service said.
Police confirmed there were 20 children and 10 adults on the 71-seater coach. No other passengers were hurt.
Insp Chris Brooks said: "This is a very difficult time for the boy's family and we have specially trained officers supporting them.
"We've already interviewed some of the passengers on board as well as drivers who were in the area at the time.
"We know just prior to the incident that people were queuing for the toilet.
"Somehow, the door has opened and the boy has fallen from the moving coach.
"The vehicle will be examined by police and VOSA investigators and this is the focus of our enquiry at this stage.
Neil Jolly, chairman of Stamford Rugby Club, said the coach had been returning from a festival it had supported for many years.
He said: "The parents and other youngsters were transferred to another coach but it was a sombre homecoming later in the evening.
"Stamford is a small town and the rugby club is more than 100 years old. It has a well structured and well managed mini-rugby section.
"I am grateful to many other clubs and Stamford members for their emails and texts of support."