South London School Shuts Down After Shocking Crash
Chaos hit South Croydon today as the Royal Russell School was forced to close after a serious crash outside its gates. A car overturned on Coombe Lane, causing major disruption and forcing the school to shut its doors.
Overturned Car Blocks Road Near School
The dramatic incident happened early this morning on Coombe Lane between Gravel Hill/Shirley Hills Road in New Addington and Oaks Road in Shirley, close to the school. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Fire crews from Croydon rushed to the scene to free a trapped female driver, who escaped uninjured.
Morning Traffic Nightmare and Snow Complications
Police closed the road in both directions from around 5:45 a.m., leading to heavy traffic jams. The chaos was made worse by snowy weather, which added to travel difficulties for parents and pupils.
Royal Russell School tweeted at 6:37 a.m.: “School is closed today due to heavy traffic outside caused by the road closure on Coombe Lane and poor weather conditions. Please check your emails for updates.”
Headmaster Confirms Closure for Safety
Headmaster Chris Hutchinson confirmed the shutdown, citing a “combination of factors” that forced the decision. “We had to ensure the safe travel of parents and children,” he said, acknowledging the impact of the crash and worsening weather.
Royal Russell School is set to reopen as normal tomorrow, Thursday, March 9.
