Shocking Eastleigh bus footage shows kids scream 'we're going to die' before river crash

Shocking footage filmed from inside a bus shows the moment it ploughed into a river - as children shout 'we're going to die'. The dramatic footage, captured by a teenager on top of the double decker, shows the bus hurtling along a road in Eastleigh, Hampshire, this morning. 

The youngster who recorded it can be heard saying "oh my f***ing god, the bus has just had a major crash and now he's speeding off". Around 10 people can be seen on the top deck of the bus as it travels along a road. The front window appears to have sustained damage. The youngster can then be heard shouting 'we're going to die, we're actually going to die'.

"What's he doing? Oh my god," he cries out in the video. The teen shouts "we're actually going to die" then all that can be heard are screeches, screams, and loud bangs as the bus crashes through barriers and into the River Itchen. The video cuts out as it appears to show passengers sent flying from their seat.

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Police have since praised the bravery of members of the public and emergency services who helped rescue some of the students and the driver who were trapped on board. Emergency services were alerted following the crash just before 10am on Thursday, with 20 people including the driver onboard and five people being taken to hospital.

The passengers were all students on their way to Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, according to Hampshire Constabulary. A force spokesman confirmed two people - the driver and a passenger - had suffered serious injuries, but their injuries were not "life-threatening".

Eyewitness Kelly West, who lives nearby, said the driver had told her the bus had suffered mechanical failure prior to the crash. She said: "I heard some noise, I looked out of the window and he just came careening into the river.

"It felt like he was doing about 60 miles an hour, it felt very fast and obviously he just went straight through the barriers and into the river." Ms West said she rushed to the scene and could hear people shouting, and she found the driver who she said was trapped and "panicking".

She said: "I told him to stop panicking, help was on its way and he said the brakes failed and the accelerator was jammed and that he was trying to avoid cars." Ms West said the students were "shocked" and concerned for the driver.

Inspector Andy Tester, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "It must have been terrifying and my thoughts are very much with the children and the driver on the bus who must have had a terrifying experience." He said several people including the driver were trapped onboard when emergency services arrived.

He said: "There was a lot of bravery shown by many people who were first on scene, who didn't have training to work in water and weren't equipped, but quickly backed up by our fire and ambulance colleagues who did have the right training to make it safe and make it a safe working environment."

A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said it scrambled five ambulances, two helicopters, and specialist response units to the scene, while Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Eastleigh, St Mary's, Redbridge, Hightown and Portchester.

Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: "Our thoughts are with everybody involved, and we wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery. At this time, we do not know the circumstances behind this incident and are carrying out an immediate investigation. We are also assisting the police as they carry out their own inquiries."

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton, said tonight: “We can confirm we are currently treating seven people for their injuries following the incident in Eastleigh earlier today. Two of those patients are in a serious condition.

“We continue to work closely with our emergency service colleagues and ask that any further enquiries are directed to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.”