A woman was airlifted to hospital with a suspected broken leg after a NSW TrainLink coach left the New England Highway and caught fire just south of Glen Innes on Friday night.
The driver and several passengers were also taken to hospital, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is now underway.
Emergency services were called to the highway near the intersection of Dibley Road, about two kilometres south of Glen Innes, at about 7.30pm on Friday, 25 September.
The coach was travelling between Armidale and Tenterfield with 20 passengers on board. Traffic advice at the time described the crash as involving a bus and a car.
Initial reports indicated all 20 people were trapped, but everyone was off the bus by the time VRA Rescue NSW crews from Glen Innes and Guyra arrived.
Officers from New England Police District found the bus had left the road and its engine was alight.
All passengers were evacuated, and Fire and Rescue NSW crews put out the fire.
Multiple paramedic crews attended the scene as well as a medical crew on board the Westpac Rescue Helicopter
A female passenger was treated for a suspected broken femur before being flown to John Hunter Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a stable condition.
One man was treated for a back injury, and another passenger was treated for a hip injury, and both were transported to Armidale Hospital. Three others were treated for minor injuries and transported to Glen Innes District Health Service.
NSW Ambulance assessed and treated four more people on scene for minor injuries but they were not transported to hospital.
The driver, a 69-year-old man, was also treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for injuries. He was taken to hospital for further treatment and mandatory testing.
“Emergency services attended the scene, and the 20 passengers on board were safely disembarked,” said a Transport for NSW spokesperson.
“Three passengers and the driver were taken to hospital via ambulance, with one airlifted to hospital in a stable condition.”
VRA Rescue NSW also attended, providing scene lighting and helped NSW Ambulance paramedics care for the injured, along with Fire and Rescue NSW.
The highway was closed in both directions for some time, with diversions adding about an hour and a half to travel times.
A second coach was arranged so passengers who did not need further treatment could continue their journey.
“A replacement coach arrived on scene at approximately 9.15pm to take passengers on the remainder of the journey,” the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
An investigation is underway, and the incident will be referred to the Office of Transport Safety Investigations following the conclusion of any police investigation.
VRA Rescue NSW thanked all the agencies that responded.
“Well done to everyone who worked together at this serious incident,” VRA Rescue NSW Region North wrote on Facebook.
“We are thinking of everyone injured and wish them a full recovery.”
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