Dozens of schoolchildren escape blazing coach after it burst into flames on busy motorway in dramatic footage

A SHOCKING video shows the moment school children were forced to evacuate a huge coach blaze as it burst into flames on a motorway.

More than 50 pupils clambered out of the burning bus after it caught fire as it travelled on the northbound carriageway of the M6, near Birmingham.

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There were seven members of staff also on board during the dramatic blaze, which was captured on video by passing motorists.

A heroic driver on another coach stopped when he spotted them in trouble, near junction 3A, shortly after 3pm.

He helped all of the children and their teachers evacuate before the fire grew into an inferno.

They took shelter on his coach and he even drove them on to their replacement coach.

Paramedics had to treat several children and the driver for smoke inhalation.

Ambulances rushed four pupils to hospital, though none were thought to be in a serious condition.

Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a senior paramedic officer were among the emergency crews sent to the scene, according to the Birmingham Mail.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews were greeted by the sight of a double decker bus that had been reduced to smouldering remains.

“Thankfully the 59 children and seven staff on board, who come from the Black Country, were safely sitting on a second coach that had stopped to offer assistance.

“In total, 13 children and the coach driver were assessed for smoke inhalation.

“Four 10-year-old girls were taken by ambulance to Birmingham Children's Hospital for further assessment, though their conditions are not thought to be serious."

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West Midlands Ambulance Service also praised the coach driver who stopped to help.

The spokesman added: “The Trust would like to pay tribute to the Eavesway Travel of Wigan coach driver who spotted the issue, stopped at the side of the motorway and helped evacuate the children.

"He then kept them and their teachers safe on his coach while firefighters dealt with the blaze.

“He then took them to the Motorcycle Museum where they were meeting up with a replacement coach to take them on their way.

“This could clearly have been a much more serious incident but for the quick actions of the coach drivers, teachers and children.”

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