Road closure signs were removed from a road in Lisburn in an “extremely dangerous” action from a member of the public which led to a school bus crash which left three children injured.
Police say the outcome could have been more serious after the school bus collided with a partially fallen tree on Thursday on the Glenavy Road in Lisburn.
The children were travelling from Fort Hill Integrated College in Lisburn when the crash occurred.
The road had been closed on Monday 27 January due a fallen tree and had not yet reopened.
Police have confirmed that the signs warning of the closure had been removed, but not by its officers or the Department for Infrastructure.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “It was reported shortly before 4.05pm that a double decker bus carrying school children, had collided with a partially fallen tree.
“Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Three children received injuries, however, they are not believed to be serious.
“The road was closed for a time but has since re-opened.
“An investigation into the circumstances of the collision is ongoing. It appears that road closure signage had been removed prior to the collision, which is extremely dangerous and could have resulted in a much more serious outcome.
“We are appealing to the members of the public to assist with our enquiries.”
