STUDENTS from two Alcester high schools avoided serious injury when the coach they were travelling to school on skidded from a country road and ended up in a ditch.

The police were called to the incident on the Ridgeway, near Stratford-upon-Avon, at 8.25am on Wednesday, January 14.

West Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the scene.

Following on from the incident, Warwickshire County Council revealed the road is not routinely gritted over the winter period.

A total of 46 children, nine from St Benedict's Catholic High School and 29 which attend Alcester Grammar School, were on the 202 Johnsons Coaches service at the time.

One boy, aged 12, from St Benedict's Catholic High School was assessed at the scene for a minor right eye injury and another student from Alcester Grammar School in Year 8 was found to have glass in her hand.

Mick Gibson, head of pastoral care at St Benedict's Catholic High School, said: “All pupils arrived safe and well but understandably shaken.”

Dr Barabra Miyard, vice-principle at Alcester Grammar School, said: “They arrived late, during period one and we checked they were all okay and offered them a hot drink.

“The students behaved sensibly and they were ready to go on with their day.”

She added that none of the children were seriously hurt and several students had been eager to show her photos which they had taken of the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, the ambulance staff found a bus that had left the road to the nearside and was at an angle in the ditch.

“Thankfully there were no serious injuries.”

Two school buses who were heading in the opposite direction stopped and allowed the children to wait onboard, in the warm, while a replacement service made its way.

John Johnson, commercial director of Johnsons Coaches, said it was news to him that the road was not routinely gritted by Warwickshire County Council and that company would be taking this up with them in the future.

He added that after the incident, following routine procedure, the driver was suspended whilst the company established what had happened and they found him not to be at fault stating that his speed was “very reasonable.”

A spokesman from Warwickshire County Council said: “Following a very comprehensive report from the driver and after discussions with the bus company, the council will not be taking any direct action against either the driver or the company.”