TWO teenagers were among three poeple who died following a collision between their school bus and a car, Cumbria police said tonight.

Four other people are fighting for their lives today after a head-on crash involving.

Thirty-five others were injured when the coach carrying children was in collision with a car just before 3.47pm on the A66 near Keswick in Cumbria.

Helicopters ferried some of the most seriously injured to accident and emergency departments at North-East hospitals where specialist teams stood ready to receive them.

One of the dead is understood to be the driver of the hatchback. The other two were aboard the coach.

The bus is understood to have been travelling west and the car was heading towards the North-East when they collided.

A minibus travelling on the road managed to stop and the shocked driver called for help.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Police said: "At this time, and based on very early information from the scene, it is believed that there have been three fatalities, four people are in a critical condition, and around 35 are walking wounded.

"Police and fire are in attendance along with six helicopters, RAF as well as air ambulances, six ambulances, non-emergency ambulances, rapid response vehicles, Basics doctors and mountain rescue teams.

"Serious casualties have been airlifted to Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Preston A&E.

"The first receiving hospital is West Cumberland, the second receiving hospital is Cumberland Infirmary.

"Paramedics and doctors are currently assessing the walking wounded's injuries, which range from minor cuts to fractures to spinal injuries."

The A66 has been closed while emergency services deal with the scene.

Emergency services are still at the scene and Cumbria Police say their focus is now on the recovery of the vehicles.

It was originally believed the crash involved the coach, a car and a minibus.

However, in the last few minutes, police have said that the crash involved just two vehicles - a grey Honda Civic and a 49 seater coach.

The minibus was at the scene but NOT directly involved in the collision.

Officers are urgently seeking witnesses to the collision and need to speak to anyone who saw the Civic, believed to be travelling East, and the coach travelling west, in the area around the time of the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumbria police on 0845 33 00 247.

It has also been confirmed that the coach involved is a J B Pickthalls 49-seater that was on a school run from Keswick secondary School to Frizington via Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Egremont.

Cumbria Police added: "The A66 will be closed whilst the recovery takes place and it is likely to remain closed for a significant period of time."

A dedicated police information line has been set up for concerned parents and guardians to call 0800-0961233 or 0207-1580197