Bus with 59 schoolchildren bursts into flames (photos, video)

– A bus with 59 school children and 7 teachers burst into flames on a motorway near Coleshill, Warwickshire

– A hero bus driver helped the youngsters to safety during the terrifying incident 

Fifty-nine children and seven teachers miraculously escaped death after their schoolbus caught fire on the side of a busy motorway near Coleshill, Warwickshire, on Monday.

Paul Bingham, pictured, and the blazing bus he helped rescue children from

British media have praised a driver of another bus who spotted the fire and evacuated the young students from a burning vehicle moments before it was engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed.

READ ALSO: One crushed to death, another injured in auto accident in Ijebu Ode

Soon ambulance and paramedics arrived to the scene – five girls were taken to hospital, other children and the driver were treated for smoke inhalation.

Coach fire #M6 at J3a. No injuries. Carriageway closed whilst @WarksFireRescue deal. Heavy delays. Jwb http://pic.twitter.com/Eh14kntfUu

— OPU Warwickshire (@OPUWarks) May 23, 2016

Quick-thinking driver Paul Bingham, 44, recalled the incident: “I had just left Corley services. I was probably about 400 yards behind the incident and some of the kids had got off by then.

It could have been so different. 59 children and 7 teachers escape a devastating bus fire https://t.co/h2y2HzedLA http://pic.twitter.com/IibyRx78Ej — WMAS (@OFFICIALWMAS) May 23, 2016

I noticed a few flames coming from underneath the rear end from the engine so I pulled up on the hard shoulder. I had an empty coach so I said get them with me and away from their coach. 

READ ALSO: Four FUTA students die in ghastly accident, others injured (photos)

I just thought better one coach stopping than 30 or 40 cars. All I did was park my coach and said to the kids to sit down. There are much more heroic acts than that in life. I am just happy to do what I could to help them out.”

Watch video:

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