UP to 18 students needed medical or hospital treatment after an incident involving a Burnley school bus and a car early yesterday.

One youngster was initially suspected of having suffered a broken arm after the 903 school service to Blessed Trinity RC College braked sharply in Hillingdon Road at around 8.30am.

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Police are now investigating whether the bus, operated by Transdev Burnley and Pendle, was forced to pull up to avoid a collision with a Vauxhall Vivaro car.

Initially the driver of the Vivaro is said to have left the scene but officers are now seeking independent witnesses to the incident.

Richard Varey, Blessed Trinity’s headteacher, said: “I’m relieved to say that none of our pupils was seriously hurt when one of our school buses had to make an emergency stop.

“Twelve pupils were taken to hospital as a precaution and most have returned to school or gone home with their parents, with a small number continuing to receive treatment this afternoon.

"We also made sure that all pupils on the bus route were picked up and brought into school. I’d like to thank our pupils for their calm and sensible behaviour, and also their parents for their swift response when we made contact with them.”

Sgt Mike Hill, of the road traffic unit at Colne, is investigating and is asking witnesses to call him on the non-emergency number, 101, quoting log number 199 of September 25.