Five people have been injured – one seriously – following a bus crash at Lake Macquarie this morning.
Emergency services were called to Wommara Place, Belmont North, just before just after 3.45am (Sunday 13 November 2022), after a bus – travelling westbound – hit a concrete barrier and overturned onto its side into a ditch.
Passers-by stopped to help passengers out of the bus with emergency services arriving on scene a short time later.
Seven people were on the bus at the time of the crash including the driver.
Two men – who had been ejected – were trapped under the bus. They were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics with one airlifted to Royal North Hospital suffering spinal injuries and the second taken to John Hunter Hospital.
Three other people with minor cuts and abrasions were also taken to hospital, with the remaining two uninjured.
The bus driver, a 61-year-old man, was taken to hospital where he underwent mandatory testing.
A crime scene has been established with specialists from the Crash Investigation Unit attending to examine the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Wommara Place remains closed with local traffic diversion in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Inquiries continue
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
