By Lisa Ramsden
An investigation has been launched after a teenage girl was injured in Ballynahinch yesterday morning. Assumption Grammar School, in a message sent to parents and guardians, later acknowledged the ‘bus accident’ had ‘caused some distress’ and confirmed that its pupils were being ‘supported’.
The incident occurred at around 8.10am close to the school’s entrance on the Belfast Road. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene, with the schoolgirl subsequently taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
A Translink spokeswoman confirmed that one of its buses had been involved and that the investigation had been initiated. “Emergency services were immediately called, and a pedestrian has been taken to hospital. We are assisting the PSNI with their enquiries,” the statement added.
In his message to families, principal Peter Dobbin confirmed that “there was a bus accident this morning involving one of our pupils.” Confirming that she was already in hospital, Mr Dobbin added: “Understandably, this has caused some distress. Please be reassured that pupils are being supported in school today.”
He also acknowledged the efforts of those who responded to the emergency. “Thank you to the Ambulance Service, Translink and the PSNI who were excellent throughout and I would also like to thank all the staff, pupils and members of the local community who rallied around to look after our pupil and assisted us this morning.”
Confirming that the schoolgirl had been admitted to the children’s hospital, NI Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 8.10am and immediately dispatched an advanced paramedic in addition to an ambulance crew. The Belfast Road, one of the main arterial routes in the district, was closed for a number of hours as the incident unfolded.
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