A bus carrying school pupils was hit from behind by another bus as children were getting off, a co-headteacher claims.

Two girls from the Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex, who were on the 620 bus, were taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital last night as the buses collided in Epping Road, at the junction of Coopersale Common Road, just before 4.30pm.

The driver of a local commercial bus was flown to Addenbrookes Hospital by the air ambulance with injuries that are thought to be life-changing.

David Barrs, co-headteacher at the school, said: “Our bus was stationary, letting students off and some students had let their seatbelts off to get off the bus.

“They were knocked to the ground but they’re fine.”

He said the school had been in touch with the operators of the commercial bus to extend its sympathies to the driver.

A 17-year-old sixth form girl, who Mr Barrs would only refer to as Fay, was trapped on the back seat of the bus and had to be cut free by firefighters.

Mr Barrs said: “I saw her last night in hospital after being told she was in a serious but stable condition, but she’s fine and I suspect she’ll be released today.”

The nature of Fay’s injuries is unknown but Mr Barrs said she had experienced some discomfort in her lower body and had not sustained any cuts, nor had she been dazed.

He added that he thought injuries on the school bus were minimal because all students are required to wear seatbelts and that the bus was an American-style yellow bus which seats passengers above likely impact zones.

A Year 7 girl was also taken to hospital showing signs of distress.

She was assessed before being released.

The children on the bus were on their usual trip home from school.