Eighteen people have been injured, one critically, after a bus collided with a lorry carrying a static steam engine.
The driver of the bus, which was carrying 32 people, was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital in a “life-threatening” condition after the collision this morning on Mersea Island, near Colchester, Essex Police said.
Fifteen others have been taken to hospital following the crash in East Road at 9.50am.
A police spokesman said: “A collision has occurred between a bus and a white low-loader lorry which was carrying a black static steam engine.
“The driver of the bus had to be released by the fire service and has been airlifted to the Royal London Hospital with life threatening injuries.”
A 51-year-old man from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and is currently in custody.
The lorry is believed to have travelled to the area this morning from Great Yarmouth, police said.
A spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: “The steam traction engine fell from the lorry and on to the bus trapping and injuring a number of passengers.
“Crews used specialist cutting equipment to release two casualties trapped.”
The East of England Ambulance Service said seven ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and two air ambulances attended.
Gary Baines, a manager at the ambulance service, said: “The collision has caused injuries to 18 people who our crews have been working as quickly as possible to treat and stabilise.
“The scene was managed very well and all the services involved worked together to ensure all patients have received the best care possible.”