A major incident has been declared following a crash involving an overturned school bus in Co Down.
The incident happened on the Ballyblack Road East in Carrowdore, near Newtownards, on Monday afternoon.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) initially said up to 70 people were on-board but has since revised that number to 44, including the driver.
A spokesperson said patients were assessed and treated at the scene with four currently requiring further treatment at hospital.
“The remainder have either been, or are in the process of being assessed with a view to discharging at the scene,” they added.
“As this remains an ongoing incident, NIAS will provide further updates as appropriate.”
NIAS previously said eight patients were being treated for more significant injuries at the scene.
It’s understood one child was trapped on the vehicle after their arm became stuck and another as a result of their leg being stuck.
All children have now been removed from the bus.
NIAS despatched multiple resources to the scene including doctors, emergency crews, advanced paramedics, rapid response paramedics, ambulance officers and the air ambulance.
Police previously asked motorists to avoid the area and said diversions are in place following the single vehicle crash.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also posted to Facebook saying: “Please only call 999 if your situation is life-threatening while we deal with this incident”.
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The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said five appliances and the specialist rescue team are currently at the scene.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon praised the emergency services and expressed relief that no one was killed.
“It’s been a really harrowing experience for these children,” he added.
“While the injuries may not be life-threatening, we are still not aware to what extent people have been hurt and I would ask people to be mindful of that.”
Local councillor Robert Adair, who has spoken to a number of parents and police, said “it’s every parent’s worst nightmare”.
“A child’s journey to and from school always causes worry and this is just horrendous,” he added.
“I am asking everyone to pray at the current time while emergency services deal with this clearly very serious situation.
“I am also appealing to drivers to give crews the space they need by staying away from the area.
“My heart goes out to everyone affected – the children, their families and of course the bus driver.
“This has really, really shaken the entire community.”
Translink has confirmed the bus was transporting pupils from Strangford College to Bangor at the time of the crash which happened just after 4pm.
The Belfast Telegraph understands that children were pulled out of windows of the vehicle which tipped over into a nearby field.
Parents of uninjured children received telephone calls advising them to collect their kids from a local police station.
An eyewitness described the scene “like a battlefield” and said they have no doubt “other parents will be getting calls telling them to go to the hospital”.
The South Eastern Trust said it is responding to a major incident and that staff in the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital are preparing to treat anyone who needs our care.
“We would ask any patient not requiring emergency care to please use alternative services,” they added.
“If your condition is life-threatening, please visit the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital as normal.”