A COACH carrying pupils from a primary school has crashed on the M25.

It is believed one child and two teachers from Richard de Clare Primary School, in Halstead, were injured after the incident last night. 

They were on their way back from Chessington World of Adventures after a day out.

The incident involved the schoolbus, two lorries and three cars near Junction 4 of the M25.

As a result of the crash, the stretch of motorway was closed.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Police officers are at the scene of a collision involving two lorries, a coach and three cars on the anticlockwise carriageway of the M25 at junction 4.

"The carriageway has been closed at junction 4 and all traffic is being directed to leave using the slip-road.

"An air ambulance is attending due to injuries reported to one of the drivers.

"A number of school children and teachers were on the coach. The school is aware and is updating parents."

The ambulance service confirmed that five patients were taken to hospital following the incident, including an 11-year-old boy who was complaining of side pain.

A spokesman for the South Coast Ambulance Service said: "We sent a large number of resources to the scene including critical care paramedics, two of our Hazardous Area Response Teams, ambulances and the Kent Air Ambulance as well.

"We took five patients to two hospitals, all of whom were transported via land ambulance.

"One man in his 30s was taken to hospital as a priority with back pain and suspected spinal injuries.

"A woman in her 40s was taken to hospital as a priority with rib and shoulder injuries.

"An 11-year-old boy was taken to hospital with side pain with a woman in her 30s who was suffering from arm pain.

"One man, a lorry driver in his 60s, was taken to Kings as a priority with injuries including abdominal pain."

The school said all pupils and staff are safe and the three who were injured only needed minor treatments in hospital.

Sarah Donnelly, head teacher, said: "We would like to thank the emergency services and our coach company, Turners of Essex, for their swift responses.

"We were shocked but everybody is safe now."

More information as we get it.