Two twins caught up in a horror double decker bus crash have told of the moment the bus came crashing down.

Identical twins Bradley and Charlie Watson, 17, were on their way back home to Craghead, near Stanley, County Durham from college on the top deck of the number 16 bus which toppled over on Friday (April 21).

Dramatic pictures from the scene show the Go North East bus lying in the foliage on its side with the front and back upper deck broken out.

Read more: Two people hospitalised after double decker bus overturns on rural road

Bradley was left with a cut to his ear while Charlie had a bruised rib from the ordeal.

The Northern Echo:

Bradley told The Northern Echo: “We heard this loud noise, a bit like nails down a chalkboard and then the bus came to a stop.

“Then it just slowly tipped over.

“My brother was holding onto the seat in front and had me in a sort of headlock.

“When it hit the floor we all went flying.

The Northern Echo: Bradley Watson, 17, was left with a cut to his hear when the windows broke on the bus.Bradley Watson, 17, was left with a cut to his hear when the windows broke on the bus. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“We were upstairs and the front and back windows both came out. We had to climb out of the windows.”

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The twins, who both study building maintenance at New College Durham, have used the bus hundreds of times.

“I’ve just been saying to my brother it puts me off getting that bus again.

The Northern Echo: Emergency services at the scene of the crash.Emergency services at the scene of the crash. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“We go to college every day apart from Tuesday so we’ve used it hundreds of times.

“It seemed like part of the road had just given way where the bus fell over.”

Eleven people were treated for their injuries and two were taken to hospital by paramedics. No one is believed to be seriously injured.

Ben Maxfield, Business Director for Go North East said: “Shortly after midday we were made aware that one of our buses was involved in an incident outside of Craghead Village.

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“Our management team were at the scene quickly and are working with emergency services to investigate the cause. The bus was carrying passengers and there have been no serious injuries. We are supporting all those involved in the incident and will continue to provide updates.”

Elizabeth Burnett, a local dog walker, told the Echo: “I normally get the bus back up the bank but I have to walk today.

“I have no idea how it happened. I don't think there has been anyone injured.”