17 Injured as Coach Skids Off M40 Slip Road and Overturns in Thick Fog
Seventeen people were hurt early Friday morning when a coach veered off a motorway slip road and flipped over near Thame, Oxfordshire. The incident happened around 2:45am on the northbound M40 slip road at junction seven amid heavy fog.
Major Incident Amid Freezing Fog
The oxford/" title="Oxford" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Oxford Bus Company coach lost control in the freezing fog, causing it to overturn. The South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) labelled it a “major incident” given the number of casualties.
A spokesman said: “The male coach driver and 16 adult passengers suffered various injuries, including cuts, bruises, and broken bones.” All were rushed to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Emergency teams deployed six ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, three ambulance officers, and a hazardous area response team.
Challenging Conditions Hamper Rescue Efforts
SCAS added that the fog posed serious challenges for emergency crews reaching the scene. Mick Clarke from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service described the situation as “still dynamic” and confirmed all 17 casualties have been removed safely.
He explained the M40’s unique terrain where valleys and elevation changes can quickly produce thick fog banks: “You can be driving in clear conditions, then suddenly hit dense fog. The freezing temperatures this week have made the roads slippery and dangerous.”
Slip Road Closed as Police Investigate
Thames Valley Police stated the slip road will remain closed for several hours while recovery and investigations continue. This isn’t the first time such a crash has occurred here — a similar coach crash in the same spot six years ago also left 17 hospitalised.
A yellow fog warning remains in place across southern England, with the Met Office warning of poor visibility throughout the day.
