Seven-year-old critical after fall from school bus

A seven-year-old boy is critical but stable after falling from the rear emergency door of a Bus Éireann school bus.

Seán Bruen, Ballinafad, Co Sligo, fell shortly after being picked up at his home for the journey to Corrigeenroe National School at 9.15am on Monday. He was taken to Sligo General Hospital.

It is believed the 49-seater bus, which was carrying approximately 20 pupils from the Boyle and Ballinafad areas, was not fitted with seat belts.

Bus Éireann spokeswoman Erica Rosengrave said full investigations were carried out by Bus Éireann and members of the Garda Public Service Unit.

Both examinations found the bus to be in perfect working order, she said. "It's not easy to open these doors . . . they have to be deliberately activated."

No one was injured in a second incident involving Bus Éireann on Monday when a bus collecting exam students caught fire while travelling from Drogheda, Co Louth, to Garristown, Co Dublin.

The Garda and Bus Éireann have launched separate investigations into the incident.

The state-sponsored transport organisation said it would withdraw some of its fleet following the fire.

Meanwhile, 21 pre-school children travelling home to Enniscorthy from a school outing escaped injury in a traffic accident yesterday afternoon. It is understood the larger vehicle involved was a private hire bus.

Emergency services attended the scene when the passenger side of the bus collided with a car at a major junction in New Ross, Co Wexford. The occupants of the car were removed to hospital but a Garda source reported their injuries to be "not serious".