Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Godolphin Bridge, Townshend - Hayle at 22/12/2009 22:14

Emergency services were called to Godolphin Bridge, Townshend, Hayle at 10.14 pm on Tuesday, 22 December following reports that a coach had overturned. The coach is believed to contain local residents returning from a trip to the Mousehole Lights.

Initial reports suggested there were 48 people injured as a result of the collision and the road has been closed to enable casualties to be assessed and an investigation to be carried out into the circumstances surrounding the collision. At least one person is believed to have suffered serious injuries.

Both the RAF helicopter from Chivenor and the search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and the Devon and Cornwall police helicopter were deployed to help ambulance crews in evacuating people with serious injuries to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. People with minor injuries have been taken to the Hayle Minor Injuries Unit.

44 personnel and five appliances from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene under the control of Station Manager Justin Sharp and Area Manager Steve Brown. This included appliances from Helston, Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Redruth fire stations. Co- responders from Helston were also sent to the scene, together with the rescue tender from Camborne and the Control Unit from Truro. Fire crews assisted in releasing passengers from the overturned coach.

Staff from the Council’s Emergency Management service have also been involved in the incident and have opened the Townshend Village Hall to provide a base for emergency services personnel.

A casualty bureau has been set up for people who think they may have relatives involved. This number is 0800 0560154.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=22513