Six Children Rescued After Bus Crashes into Water-Filled Ditch in Cambridgeshire

Six schoolchildren were safely rescued after the bus they were traveling in plunged into a water-filled ditch in Leverington Common, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday afternoon. The dramatic incident, which occurred at approximately 5:15 PM GMT, prompted an immediate response from emergency crews.

The schoolchildren, who were on board the bus at the time of the crash, were evacuated from the vehicle and, according to police, were unharmed. However, the driver, who remained inside the bus, was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Eyewitness Laurence Manning, who was nearby at the time of the crash, described the harrowing moments as the situation unfolded. Upon hearing the screams of the children, Manning rushed to the scene and began helping the young passengers off the bus.

“We pulled each school kid out one by one and then we tended to the driver who was still in the cab,” Manning said. “The roof was caved in, and we could hear creaks and cracks because it was sinking even more.”

Manning, who feared the situation might worsen as the bus continued to sink, explained that he had to check the bus several times to ensure there were no other passengers still inside. Despite the tense atmosphere, he emphasized the urgency of the rescue, especially when children are involved.

“When there are kids involved, you just have to get them to safety,” Manning added. “Luckily, everyone was all right—few injuries but nothing serious.”

Following the rescue, local resident Katie-Leigh Julian, a neighbor of the crash site, stepped in to care for the children.

“The experience was not nice at all when it comes down to anyone, but when it’s children around and there’s no parents around, it is heart-breaking,” Julian remarked. “I just wanted to make sure they were okay and comfort them.”

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed that emergency crews remained at the scene well into the evening, as authorities worked to clear the area and assess the full extent of the crash. “Surrounding roads are expected to remain closed for several hours,” a police spokesperson said. “Our teams are continuing to manage the situation.”

The fire service also responded quickly to the scene, where they found the bus partially submerged in the ditch. Firefighters assisted in helping the driver out of the vehicle and supported the overall rescue effort.

The incident, which could have had much more severe consequences, highlights the bravery of the community and emergency responders.

While the children are said to have emerged without serious injuries, the crash serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in preventing accidents, particularly when young passengers are involved.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash, which occurred during a busy time in the evening, and are working to ensure the area is fully secured.