Nineteen people have been injured after a bus crashed near a coastal town in Wales.
A major incident was declared after emergency services attended the scene of a crash at around 12.20pm near the town of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
Police have since stood the major incident down although the road affected, the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout, will remain closed for collision investigators to carry out their inquiries.
Six people were taken to hospital while 13 casualties were assessed and discharged at the scene, police said. No injuries were believed to be life-threatening at the scene of the collision.
Dyfed-Powys Police, Welsh Ambulance Service and Mid and West Wales Fire Rescue Service were all part of a multi-agency response to the collision.
The Hywel Dda Health Board, which covers the west of Wales including Carmarthenshire, warned that its team were responding to the major incident and emergency departments would be busier than usual.
“Our teams are responding to the major incident called as a result of the road traffic incident in Kidwelly.
“Our emergency departments are busy, and waiting times are likely to be longer as we treat individuals with the greatest need first.”
Welfare arrangements were provided at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly.
Zoe Hand, the managing director of First Bus Franchising – which covers Wales – affirmed that the X11 service, which goes between Swansea Bus Station, Llanelli Bus Station, and Carmarthen Bus Station, was involved in the incident.
“Our X11 service was involved in an incident earlier this afternoon on the A484 close to the junction with Old Forge Lane, near Kidwelly.
“A team from our depot at Ammanford travelled to scene immediately to support our driver and look after our customers.
“The safety of everyone who travels with us is always our absolute priority and we are working with the police and ambulance service to care for those who need it and understand the circumstances which led to this incident.”
Footage on Sky News showed the bus lying on its side in a field following the incident.
Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, which includes Kidwelly, said her thoughts were with those involved.
“My immediate thoughts are with all those people who were involved in the crash, and the emergency services who are helping them,” she said.
“I would reiterate the official request for the public to stay away and find alternative routes to the Parc y Bocs roundabout to Llandyfaelog Road.”
The police force thanked the public for their patience as emergency services attended the scene and closed the road, adding: “We would like to thank the public for their understanding and patience while emergency services worked together at the scene.
“We would also like to thank the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly for their support.”
