Emergency Services Praised For Response To Bus Crash

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has commended the swift and effective response of emergency services and hospital staff following a major bus accident in County Down today.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared a Major Incident due to the significant number of resources required to address the incident, including the Air Ambulance and on-site medical professionals. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) also deployed a specialised rescue team and appliances to the scene near Carrowdore.

The NIAS, NIFRS, PSNI, and the Health and Social Care (HSC) system worked in close coordination to manage the situation and provide necessary assistance to those affected by the accident. Minister Nesbitt said: "This has been a shocking incident and my thoughts this evening are with all of those affected and their families. I am receiving regular updates.

"I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the emergency crews attending the scene and to the hospital staff caring for those who have been injured. NIAS, NIFRS, PSNI, Air Ambulance, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) and the wider HSC system have all played their part.

"I know I am speaking for the entire community in expressing my gratitude for the fast and efficient way in which they responded, and for their expertise and professionalism. I am proud of everyone involved in responding to the major incident today."