On the morning of June 26, 2025, a double-decker Bluestar bus carrying students from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College catastrophically left the road and plunged into the River Itchen along Bishopstoke Road near Eastleigh, Hampshire. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:07 a.m., left more than a dozen people injured and sparked an intense emergency response involving multiple services.
The bus, carrying 20 people in total—19 passengers and the driver—ended up submerged in the river, with water reaching halfway up the wheel arches and the front windows smashed. According to eyewitnesses, the driver's cab was filled with mud, and passengers were forced to evacuate through the side windows. Emergency services worked swiftly to cut away railings, allowing survivors to reach safety on the riverbank.
Kelly West, a local resident who witnessed the crash while working from home, recounted the harrowing moments. "We ran outside, we ran around the front of the bus, spoke to the driver," she said. The driver told her the "brakes were not working" and the "accelerator jammed". "He was doing the best he could to avoid cars as he was coming down the road," West added. Her account paints a picture of a desperate struggle to control the vehicle before the plunge into the water.
Another local authority worker, Paul Crowther, described the aftermath of the crash, noting bent pedestrian traffic lights and cables hanging from a telegraph pole. "I think it probably happened just before 10 a.m.," he said. "If it had been an hour earlier, it could have been far worse—there are a few schools nearby, including primary schools." His observations underscore the potential scale of disaster narrowly averted.
The emergency response was extensive. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service deployed crews from Eastleigh, St Mary’s, Redbridge, Hightown, and Portchester, while South Central Ambulance Service scrambled five ambulances, two helicopters, and specialist response units to the scene. Firefighters urged the public to "avoid the area" to facilitate rescue and recovery operations.
Inspector Andy Tester of Hampshire Constabulary praised the bravery of first responders and members of the public who assisted before emergency crews arrived. "There was a lot of bravery shown by many people who were first on scene, who didn’t have training to work in water and weren’t equipped," he said. "We believe that everyone, every passenger on the bus, was a student heading to Barton Peveril college. Their families have been notified." He also confirmed that several people, including the driver, were trapped on board when emergency services arrived, necessitating specialist resources to extract them safely.
In total, five people—including the bus driver—were taken to hospital for treatment, with two individuals reported to be in "serious but not life-threatening" condition, according to Hampshire Constabulary and University Hospital Southampton. Around 14 others with less serious injuries were treated at the scene. The injured included students from local areas such as Wickham, Swanmore, and Bishop's Waltham.
Parents and families anxiously gathered at the Eastleigh Rugby Club Hub, where an Incident Centre was established to provide updates and support. One mother shared her distress after hearing from her daughter, who was "banged up, bruised, and in shock" but otherwise okay. Another father expressed relief that his son was not seriously hurt despite the traumatic experience. The community's response highlighted the human toll and emotional impact of the crash beyond the immediate physical injuries.
James West, a resident living near the crash site, described the sound of the collision as "like a bomb," noting that debris from the bus landed in his garden. "I think [the driver] was a bit of a hero in all honesty, because he could’ve taken out cars, houses. He could’ve taken out pedestrians," West said. His observations suggest that despite the severity of the crash, a greater tragedy was averted.
Bluestar Bus's general manager, Richard Tyldsley, confirmed the company’s ongoing investigation into the incident. "One of our buses, carrying students to Barton Peveril College, was involved in an incident earlier this morning in Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh," he said. "Reports suggest the bus left the highway and came to rest in a shallow river. We do not currently have full details of their injuries and are following their progress closely. Our thoughts are with everybody involved, and we wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery." Tyldsley also emphasized that the company is cooperating fully with police investigations.
Police have stated there is no immediate indication as to why the bus left the road, and a thorough examination of the scene is underway. The complexity of recovering the bus from the river means that Bishopstoke Road is expected to remain closed for up to 12 hours, with hopes to reopen it by early hours of June 27, 2025.
Images from the scene show the double-decker bus still submerged in the River Itchen, with a large crane having arrived to assist in the recovery operation. Emergency services continue to prioritize safety while working to clear the site.
This incident has profoundly affected the local community, with emergency responders, families, and residents rallying together amid the crisis. While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, the swift and courageous actions of both professionals and civilians undoubtedly saved lives in what was a terrifying ordeal for all involved.
