Teenager killed as tractor and school bus collide in country lane

A teenage pupil was killed and another seriously injured yesterday when a tractor crashed into a school bus on a country road in Northamptonshire.

A teenage pupil was killed and another seriously injured yesterday when a tractor crashed into a school bus on a country road in Northamptonshire.

Police said two coaches were travelling in convoy carrying pupils from the Blessed George Napier Secondary School in Banbury, Oxfordshire, on their way home when the accident happened at around 3.45pm.

A teenage boy was pronounced dead at the scene and another suffering serious arm injuries was airlifted to Horton Hospital in Banbury, a spokesman added.

The remaining 20 pupils from the first coach were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford where they were treated for minor injuries and shock. Thirteen pupils from the second coach, which was not involved in the accident, were also treated for shock.

Inspector George Cooper from Northamptonshire police said last night that the pupils were believed to be aged between 11 and 14.

Chief Superintendent Ken Willis said the accident took place as two coaches were following each other down the country lane. The first coach collided with a tractor which was cutting hedges or grass.

He added that he did not know if the children on board were wearing seatbelts. He said it was too early to say whether anyone would be interviewed in connection with the incident but that police would be launching a full inquiry.

Danny Hopkins from the air ambulance service said they were among the first at the scene, which he described as "carnage".

He said: "It was just carnage. There were children lying all over the place and they were very distressed."

The single-decker school coach was on the B4100 between Aynho, Northamptonshire and Souldern, Oxfordshire when the collision happened.