Colne Community School pupils tell of bus crash scare
An Essex schoolgirl has told how she heard a "big crash" and "scraping of metal" as the roof of her school bus was ripped open by a passing tractor.
Georgia Cowie was one of 45 pupils from Colne Community School who were on the double decker bus when it was hit by a tree trimmer in Wivenhoe on Thursday.
Four children were treated for minor injuries following the crash.
Georgia said: "It took me until I got back to school until I realised that everything was OK."
Paramedics compared the cut to the bus to that of a "can opener".
Connah Dykes, who was sitting at the back of the bus, said he called the paramedics.
"My dad's a fireman so I instantly thought that if someone was hurt we're going to need help," he said.
"I'm quite proud but it's something anyone would do in those circumstances."
Judy Wakeling, vice principal of the school in Brightlingsea, said the crash was her "absolute worst nightmare".
"We are truly thankful there weren't any more serious injuries," she said.
The Essex County Council-contracted bus was on its way to the Brightlingsea school when the accident happened.
It is thought the tractor had its trimmer facing forwards and was moving towards the road when the accident happened.
Essex Police said it was not investigating the accident.