ALMOST a dozen students were injured in a head-on collision involving a college bus and a van.

The bus was carrying 19 students to Darlington College and the town’s Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College when it collided with a van in dank conditions this morning (Thursday, September 18).

The students, who were mostly aged 16, suffered minor injuries, including one with a suspected broken nose and one with a cut lip.

Nine were taken to hospital, including two from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College.

The driver of the van – thought to be in his 40s - sustained leg injuries and was also taken to hospital, along with his passenger. 

All casualties have since been discharged from hospital.

The driver of the bus suffered minor injuries and was not taken to hospital.

The collision was reported at 8.40am today on an unclassified road between Aldbrough St John and the B6275 which leads to Piercebridge, near Darlington.

It appeared the driver’s side of the Dales and District bus collided with the front of a white Citroen Relay van.

Five ambulances were sent to the scene, along with rapid response paramedics and police officers.

Traffic Sergeant Hamish Halloway said a number of worried parents also raced to scene, with some driving casualties to hospital.

“The students were visibly upset when we arrived on the scene,” he added.

A spokeswoman for Darlington College said senior staff assisted the emergency services at the scene, with specially trained counsellors offering support to the students.

She said: "None of the students are seriously injured, but they have all been taken to hospital.

"One of the students is thought to have suffered a broken nose.

"The college immediately sent senior staff and support staff to assist students and support is ongoing this morning.

"All the families of the students involved have been contacted and senior college staff are at the scene assisting with the emergency teams."

The road was closed until 12.20pm in the aftermath of the collision and an investigation is now underway as to how the accident happened.

Any witnesses can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 - select option two and ask for Traffic Sergeant Graham Waller.

Or email Graham.waller@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk quoting reference 99 of September 18, 2014.