A school bus carrying children has crashed into a ditch after skidding on treacherous black ice in Kent. The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday 7 January 2026.
Emergency Response at Chilmington Green
Kent Police were called to the scene at Chilmington Green in Ashford shortly after 8am. Photographs from the site showed a double-decker bus, operated by Stagecoach, with its nose pointing down into an opening at the side of the A28 road.
Officers and paramedics rushed to the location to assist the passengers. South East Coast Ambulance Service attended as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the children or driver.
Cause Believed to be Black Ice
In an official statement, Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their belief that the bus had "slipped" off the road due to black ice. Crews used the opportunity to issue a stark warning to all motorists.
The service urged drivers to exercise extreme caution during cold snaps, highlighting the invisible danger of black ice. Their advice included:
- Avoiding sudden braking.
- Leaving plenty of space between vehicles.
- Being extra vigilant in low temperatures.
Operator Launches Review
Stagecoach South East has confirmed it is fully cooperating with authorities and that the circumstances of the incident are under review. Managing director Joel Mitchell stated: "Stagecoach can confirm that an incident occurred on January 7 on the A28 in Ashford involving one of our school buses. There are currently no reported injuries."
A Kent Police spokesperson added that officers remained on scene to assist with passenger welfare and the recovery of the vehicle.
The event serves as a timely reminder of the hazardous driving conditions that can emerge during winter, even on main roads, and the critical importance of adapting driving style to the weather.
