Fact Check: "Double-decker bus plunges into river, injuring driver and two passengers!"
What We Know
On June 26, 2025, a double-decker bus carrying students from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh, England, crashed into the River Itchen. The incident occurred shortly before 10:00 AM BST when the bus veered off the road and went through roadside barriers into the water. Initial reports indicate that the bus driver and one passenger sustained serious injuries, although these injuries were not life-threatening (BBC, AP News).
In total, five individuals were taken to the hospital, including the driver and two passengers, while more than a dozen others suffered minor injuries (BBC, ABC News). Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with students being rescued from the bus and emergency services responding quickly to the incident. The bus was reported to be upright in the river, with its front windows smashed and mud covering its side (BBC, AP News).
Analysis
The claim that a double-decker bus plunged into a river, injuring the driver and two passengers, is partially true. While it is accurate that the bus did crash into a river and that the driver and at least one passenger were seriously injured, reports vary on the total number of injured individuals. According to the police, two people (the driver and one passenger) had serious injuries, while other sources mention that four teens were also hospitalized (BBC, AP News).
The eyewitness accounts provide additional context, indicating that the driver reported brake failure and a jammed accelerator, which contributed to the crash. This detail is corroborated by multiple sources, including a witness who helped students escape the bus (BBC, AP News).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include established news organizations like the BBC and AP News, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the variation in the number of injuries reported may indicate a need for further clarification from official sources as investigations continue.
Conclusion
The claim is partially true. While it accurately states that a double-decker bus plunged into a river and that the driver and at least one passenger were injured, the specifics regarding the total number of injured individuals vary across different reports. The situation remains fluid as more information may emerge from ongoing investigations.
Sources
- Eastleigh bus crash latest: Two seriously injured as witness says ... - BBC
- Double-decker with students plunges into river in England | AP News
- Bus carrying college students crashes into river in Eastleigh
- Double-decker bus carrying students plunges into English river
- Double-decker bus carrying students plunges into English ...
