Some schoolchildren were hurt when a school bus veered off the road on its morning journey.

Police and paramedics were not alerted to the scene – but some of the children ended up being taken to hospital later by their parents.

A bus service operated by Barry’s Coaches heading to schools in Puddletown left the road and ended up in a field near Dewlish sometime around 8.30am yesterday. It apparently skidded on an oil spill in the road.

Dorset Police was informed of the incident some two hours later. It is not believed that any children were seriously injured.

A concerned parent of a child who had been on the bus told the Echo that some children had been taken to A&E at Dorset County Hospital.

He said: “I would have thought there would be a risk assessment in place in the event of a crash, that they would call an ambulance.

“The maximum age of the children on that bus would be 13.”

The school confirmed that some children had been taken home with minor injuries.

Dorset Police said they received a “third party” report that a bus had gone into a field off Warren Road but had no further details.

Darren Ayling, headteacher at St Mary’s Middle School, said: “Puddletown First School and St Mary’s Middle School received information regarding an incident involving a school bus.

“It is reported that the bus left the road between Dewlish and Cheselbourne due to a suspected oil spill.

“The bus company contacted the schools, and parents of the affected pupils were informed as soon as possible.

“The children were taken to school and provided with appropriate care, before continuing with their school day. Some parents took pupils home due to minor injuries. We do not have further details of any injuries at present.”

Dorset County Council’s schools emergency plan was actioned in response to the incident at 12.15pm yesterday.

A spokesman for the council said they are awaiting a report from the driver of the bus to establish exactly what happened.

A highways team was sent to clear the oil spill and make the road safe following the incident.

When the Echo contacted Barry’s Coaches for comment, a member of staff who would not give his name said the collision was “low impact” and that “all children were wearing seatbelts.”

He added that the driver was being interviewed about the incident and that they were currently following a procedure.