A group of tourists were “lucky to be alive” after their bus was blown off a Highland road in high winds today.
The coach carrying 32 passengers rolled four or five times before coming to a rest by the side of a loch at the top of the Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll.
The A83 Tarbet to Campbeltown road is still closed following the accident, in which five people were “seriously injured” and 25 were described by police as “walking wounded.”
A police spokeswoman said: “Around 2.10pm this afternoon, Thursday 26 march, a coach with tourists, overturned on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful. It is understood that 32 people were on board of which five are believed to be seriously injured (but not thought life threatening).
“They are being taken by ambulance/medivac to either the Southern or the RAH for treatment. 25 are described as “walking wounded.” Emergency Services are at the scene. The A83 is closed with local diversions in place.”
The coach was operated by Lochs and Glens Holidays. The passengers, some of whom were from England, were staying at the Loch Awe Hotel in Argyll.
Lochgilphead woman Sarah Gatner was one of the first on the scene. She said: “The bus had rolled down the hill and was sitting at the side of the loch.
“They were getting everybody off when I arrived. I asked if there was anything I could do to help and I was asked to bring some of the passengers who were frozen cold and in shock to sit in my car.
“I had two women in their seventies. They were terrified that they were going to get blown down again in my car. They said they felt very lucky to be alive. One of the women told me it had rolled four or five times before landing upright. She said they thought they were going to go into the loch, but it stopped in time.
“They said they saw a woman and it looked as if her arm was broken, or possibly her shoulder.
“It was bad up at the top of the Rest, it was the windiest I have ever seen it up there. It was freezing and there was sleet.”
A Bear Scotland spokeswoman said: “The road at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful is currently closed due to a serious road traffic accident involving a coach. BEAR Scotland is currently assisting emergency teams at the site.
“A diversion route is being put in place via A82 Tarbet, A85 Crianlarich, A819 Dalmally and A83 Inverarry.
“A further update will be issued early evening however the road is likely to be closed for some time.”
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “Scottish Ministers have been kept fully informed of this serious incident across the afternoon and our immediate thoughts are with the passengers who have been transported to hospital.
“The emergency services have been working closely with helicopters from both Prestwick and Lossiemouth as well as mountain rescue teams and a rest centre has been set up in ‘Three Villages Hall’ in Arrochar to help the walking wounded.
“The A83, at The Rest and Be Thankful, remains closed to allow the investigation into what caused the accident to get underway.”