Published: August 31, 2010
Woman cut free from Burnham crash and air-lifted to hospital

A woman was cut free from this car and air-lifted to hospital following an accident at a busy roundabout in Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday afternoon (August 31st).

A Ford Ka collided into the side of a double decker bus at 2pm at the busy roundabout next to the Total petrol station on Burnham Road.

Fire, ambulance and police were called to the scene and Marine Drive was closed while the emergency services dealt with the incident, as pictured here.

The roof of the car was removed by the fire crews to gain access to a passenger travelling in the back of the car, who was taken by ambulance to a waiting air ambulance that had landed on the playing fields besides Burnham's BAY Centre.

The driver of the bus, who asked to remain anonymous, told Burnham-On-Sea.com at the scene: "Around 12 people were on the bus at the time of the accident and one received back injuries."

Two fire engines from Burnham Fire Station were joined by a further engine from Weston and ambulances from Shepton Mallet and Burnham.

Fire spokeswoman Suzie Izzard told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We removed the roof of the car to free a female inside and then assisted paramedics in taking the casualty to the air ambulance. A male casualty was also treated for a neck injury at the scene."

And ambulance spokesman Dave Rogers told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We were called at 1.59pm to the accident. A female in her 20s was air-lifted to Musgrove Park Hospital."

First Buses spokeswoman Karen Baxter added: "The exact cause of the incident is as yet unknown, but the bus was stationary at the time."

"There were a number of passengers on board the bus at the time, one of whom was treated for minor injuries. We will be working closely with the authorities to determine exactly what happened, but our immediate thoughts are with the people who were injured, and their family and friends. We wish all those involved a speedy recovery."

Marine Drive re-opened shortly after 4pm, some two hours of the accident was first reported.