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. Reports confirm that the bus veered off the road and plunged into the river shortly before 10:00 AM BST. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene where the bus driver indicated that the "brakes were not working" and the "accelerator jammed" as the bus sped down the road, ultimately crashing through roadside barriers into the water (BBC, AP News).
Five individuals, including the driver and one passenger, were taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. In total, 19 passengers were on board, and reports indicate that at least 14 others sustained minor injuries but were treated at the scene (BBC, Sky 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 confirmed that the bus did crash into the river and that the driver and one passenger sustained serious injuries, the total number of injured individuals is higher than stated in the claim. Specifically, five people were reported to have been taken to the hospital, with two of them (the driver and one passenger) suffering serious injuries (AP News, Sky News).
The eyewitness accounts provide additional context, describing the scene as chaotic and frightening, with one witness stating that the bus was traveling at a high speed before the crash (BBC, AP News). The credibility of these sources is high, as they include direct reports from local news outlets and eyewitness testimonies, which are generally reliable in such incidents. However, it is important to note that the initial reports may vary slightly in the number of injured due to the evolving nature of emergency responses and assessments.
Conclusion
The verdict is Partially True. The claim accurately reflects that a double-decker bus plunged into a river and that the driver and one passenger were seriously injured. However, it underrepresents the total number of injuries, as five individuals were taken to the hospital, not just the driver and two passengers. The discrepancy highlights the importance of precise reporting in emergency situations.
