Major Incident Notification 3 September 2007

Issued 4 September 2007, 12.10pm

Following yesterday's coach accident, Richard Bowker, Chief Executive of National Express said this morning; "Our thoughts are with those passengers who remain in hospital following yesterday’s accident. We would like to thank the emergency services for the help and support and those who continue to provide first class care to those who remain in hospital. We are working with the police to fully understand the events of yesterday’s accident.

We would like to reassure our customers that their safety is of paramount importance to us – we are obsessive and uncompromising about this. Coach crashes are rare but we are never complacent and are focused on understanding what went wrong yesterday. The police have confirmed that the driver has been arrested following a positive breath test. We take a tough approach and have alcohol and drug policies which are more stringent than the legal requirement. We undertake random tests on drivers on a weekly basis as part of a wider driver assessment programme."

Further updates will be issued when available.

Issued 3 September 2007, 21.40pm

A National Express spokeswoman said, "Our policies and procedures are designed to protect the safety of our customers which is of paramount importance.

We undertake random tests on drivers on a weekly basis as part of a wider driver assessment programme to ensure fitness to operate our services. We adopt a zero tolerance approach to alcohol or drug use by our drivers.

We have been advised that the driver has been arrested by the police and given the police investigation we are unable to make any further comment at this time".

Issued 3 September 2007, 19.00pm

We can confirm that a National Express coach was involved in an incident on the southbound M1 at the Newport Pagnell services on 3 September 2007 shortly after 1600. The vehicle was a single deck vehicle travelling on the 777 service from Birmingham to Stansted. One driver and at least 33 passengers were on board.

The service left Birmingham Digbeth at 1400 and stopped at Birmingham International at 1420 and Coventry at 1440. It was due to arrive at Stansted Airport at 1755.

The injured, which include six people with serious injuries, have been taken to hospitals in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Oxford.

National Express is working closely with the emergency services in order to provide as much information to friends and relatives of passengers on board.

National Express customers can contact a dedicated emergency enquiry line on 0800 731 2734.

Thames Valley Police press office has opened a casualty bureau, for those who are concerned a relative or friend was on board. The numbers are as follows: 0800 056 0146 or from outside the UK +44 20 7158 0198.