Police have partially shut the key Cleddau Bridge link in Pembrokeshire with heavy congestion in the area
A “severely trapped” driver has been cut free and airlifted to hospital after a crash between a 52-seater bus and car on a bridge in Wales.
A further nine people have also been taken to hospital after the crash on the Cleddau Bridge in west Wales.
A major incident was declared by fire crews after a driver was trapped and “many” bus passengers suffered injuries in the crash on Tuesday at 14:15 BST.
The main road between Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven is partially closed.
Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford has said that it is “worrying to hear news of a major incident on the Cleddau Bridge” in Pembrokeshire.
“My thoughts are with all those involved and my thanks to the first responders and emergency services working at the scene,” he said.
The local health board has asked people to only attend the nearby Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest if they have a life-threatening illness or serious injury.
A driver has been cut free and flown to hospital for treatment
Hywel Dda health board said that would enable staff to help with the emergency response.
“Crews responded to a road traffic collision involving one 52-seater bus and one private motor vehicle,” Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.
It added that crews cut free “a severely trapped driver” who was flown to hospital by air ambulance
“Several of the bus passengers suffered with various injuries and many of them were taken to hospital by road ambulances and police vehicles,” the statement added.
The air ambulance and five emergency land ambulances attended the scene on Tuesday afternoon as fire crews worked to free the trapped driver and give first aid to injured passengers.
Motorists are being asked to find alternative routes than using the main Cleddau Bridge
The main A477 road from Pembroke Dock to Milford Haven and Haverfordwest is shut westbound.
Pembrokeshire council has, however, said the bridge is partially open eastbound but “can only be accessed via Burton”.
“Roads are expected to be extremely busy, please take extra care,” added the council statement.
Lauren Joseph was trying to cross the bridge after work, travelling to her home near Milford Haven just after the crash – and faces an hour-long, 35-mile diversion.
“As I got there the council advised me to go the long way around at the Carew roundabout due to an incident,” she said.
“I am currently doing 20mph on a 60mph because of the congestion caused by the crash.”
