The speeding double decker narrowly avoids oncoming traffic

THIS is the terrifying moment a speeding bus filled with students swerves across the road before plunging into a river.

Shocking footage shows the double decker narrowly avoiding cars before flying off the road near Eastleigh, Hampshire yesterday morning.

Bus veering off road.
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Footage shows the double decker zooming between cars on the roadCredit: UGC

Bus crashing off road.
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It then goes onto the wrong side of the road before crashing through a fence into the riverCredit: UGC

Screenshot of the inside of a bus filled with smoke.
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The bus could be seen speeding down the roadCredit: solent news

Screenshot of a person's upper body.
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Students could be heard shouting ‘we’re going to die’ as the horror unfolded
The speeding bus squeezes between an oncoming car and a learner driver before crashing through a fence into the River Itchen, on Bishopstoke Road.

19 people were left injured following the disturbing ordeal, which was over in a matter of seconds.

Video from inside the vehicle, filmed by one horrified passenger, also shows the double decker barrelling down the Hampshire road.

Terrified screams can be heard from the students, who shout, “we’re going to die”, before the video cuts off.

The youngster behind the camera says: “Oh my god, the bus has just had a major crash and now he’s speeding off.”

Someone else yells in panic: “Get away from the windshield.”

“We’re going to die, we’re actually going to die, what’s he doing?”, says the concerned boy filming.

“Oh my god, oh my god, we’re actually going to die,” he repeats, his voice growing more shaky.

Pictures from the scene also showed the large blue bus sitting upright in the shallow river with broken railings left behind.

Three passengers were rushed to hospital while fourteen were treated for minor injuries.

It comes as the driver earlier blamed faulty brakes and a “jammed accelerator”.

Speaking to the BBC, resident Kelly West said: “We ran outside, we ran around the front of the bus and spoke to the driver.”

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At least 17 injured after double-decker bus filled with students crashes into river
She was told by the driver that the “brakes were not working” and the accelerator “jammed”.

He explained to her that he was “doing the best he could” to avoid oncoming traffic coming down the road.

The Bluestar double-decker was College Bus 607 for Barton Peveril students, according to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Multiple emergency services swooped down after the crash.

At least five ambulances were spotted on the residential road and two helicopters were scrambled to the scene, which has been cordoned off by police.

Fire crews were also seen carrying ladders and working with stretchers to bring any remaining passengers off the bus.

All passengers have since been removed from the bus which is sitting upright in the River Itchen, said the ambulance service.

Bluestar have confirmed there were 19 passengers on-board at the time.

Scott Agass said that his 17-year-old son was onboard but is thankfully okay.

He told the Echo: “We are just waiting for our son who was onboard. They are not in the bus at the moment, I think they are all out.

Bus veering off road.
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Pedestrians watched on as the bus swerved across the roadCredit: UGC

Emergency responders at the scene of a bus accident.
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The aftermath of the horror incident shows metal railings bent out of shapeCredit: UKNIP

Aerial view of a double-decker bus in a river, surrounded by emergency responders and bystanders.
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Emergency crews were scrambled to the River ItchenCredit: Solent
“He said he was sitting there with a blanket and a monitor on his finger. He doesn’t really know what happened or what caused it.

“I suppose it just happened so quick. All he saw was that it crashed and gone in the river.”

It is understood that other families of the youngsters are gathered at the Eastleigh Rugby Club awaiting more information from police.

Barton Peveril Sixth Form College has said its staff are working closely with police.

Bluestar, which operates the double-decker, has said “early reports suggest the bus left the highway and came to rest in a shallow river”.

Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: “There were 19 passengers on-board at the time.

“Our driver and at least two of the passengers have confirmed injuries, and we are awaiting further updates on the status of others on-board.

“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.

“At this time, we do not know the circumstances behind this incident and are carrying out an immediate investigation. We are also assisting the police as they carry out their own enquiries.”

Emergency vehicles at the scene of a bus crash.
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Cops arrived on the scene after the crash at around 10am yesterdayCredit: UKNIP

A damaged double-decker bus partially submerged in a river.
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Three passengers were sent to hospital following the crashCredit: Solent

Winchester house beside the River Itchen.
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The double decker crashed into the River ItchenCredit: Getty