Emergency services were called to the A28 in Great Chart on Wednesday morning, 7 January 2026, after a double decker bus carrying school pupils slipped off the road during freezing conditions. Luckily no injuries were reported in the incident.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) was alerted to the scene at 08:09 AM. Three fire engines attended the site, supported by officers from Kent Police and paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb).
Crews worked for approximately one hour to secure the scene and assist passengers with a safe disembarkation from the vehicle. All passengers were subsequently moved onto alternative transport to continue their journeys within an hour. Initial investigations suggest the vehicle lost traction after hitting a patch of black ice.
In the wake of the incident, KFRS issued a safety advisory for motorists travelling in near-freezing temperatures. A spokesperson for the service urged drivers to exercise “extra caution,” advising against sudden braking and recommending that road users leave significantly more space between vehicles than usual.