10 year-old girl killed; two others critical

Investigations are continuing after a 10 year-old girl was killed in a crash involving a car and a bus in the south of the Island on Saturday.

Another child and a man – all believed to be from the same family - are in a critical condition in hospitals in the North West of England.

The collision happened at about 3.30pm at Ballakaighan Corner in Castletown, involving a number two bus travelling towards Port Erin and a BMW car coming in the opposite direction.

It is understood the occupants of the car were a family travelling together but formal identification has yet to take place.

The other passenger in the car is described as stable and is being treated at Noble’s Hospital.

Ambulance and fire crews treated a number of casualties at the scene, including five bus passengers and the driver who were taken to Noble’s Hospital.

The majority of those injured on the bus suffered with shock and fracture injuries, some of which have been described as minor – some of  them have now been released home following treatment.

The section of road between Castletown and Port Erin had to be closed for six hours while accident investigators examined the scene.

Inspector Jed Bibby, who is overseeing the investigation, said: ‘This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and other people injured as a result.

‘Family liaison officers are working to establish the next of kin and support the family here and in the UK. I would like to thank the other emergency services who attended a truly horrific accident and dealt with it in such a professional manner.’

The cause of the incident is unknown and enquiries are ongoing.

Police have spoken to a considerable number of people at the scene but are keen to speak to anyone that may have witnessed it.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to contact police headquarters on 631212.