A TEENAGE driver involved in a road smash at Brockenhurst is still seriously ill in hospital, but his condition is no longer described as life-threatening.

The 17-year-old was driving south when his Volkswagen Polo was in collision with a bus carrying students home to Marchwood from Brockenhurst College and a Daewoo Matiz.

The crash happened on the A337 at Brockenhurst Bridge at 4.43pm on Tuesday (October 12).

Hampshire Police say the youth, who was cut free from the wreckage and rushed to Southampton General Hospital, lives at Beaulieu.

A spokesman said: “His condition is still serious but is not life-threatening.”

The Wilts & Dorset bus driver, a 54-year-old man from Barton, was also taken to hospital with head and leg injuries.

At first it was thought that teenage bus passengers, who were taken back to the college before being picked up by parents, were uninjured.

But the spokesman said: “Two students from the bus later went to hospital with minor injuries.”

The driver of the Matiz, a 41-year-old man from Sway, was uninjured.

Brockenhurst College principal Di Roberts praised “staff and students who showed the Brockenhurst community spirit in an emergency”.

“Particular thanks to the bus driver for his quick reactions, which resulted in our students escaping serious injury.

“However we understand that this was a traumatic experience for all involved and will be offering support and counselling for any students affected by the accident.

“Our thoughts are with the driver of the car involved and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Diversions were set up until accident investigators finished examining the scene at midnight.

“We would like to talk to any witnesses that were not in any way involved in the collision,” said the police spokesman.

Call Acting Sergeant Dan Golding at Totton Roads Policing Unit on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111 quoting Operation Farandine.

/a> Bridge, just before Brockenhurst.

The collision involved a Wilts & Dorset bus, a black Volkswagen Polo and a red Daewoo Matiz.

Police said two people were trapped.

The 54-year-old bus driver was freed and taken to hospital with leg and head injuries that were not believed to be life threatening.

The 17-year-old driver of the Polo, travelling towards Brockenhurst, was trapped and had to be released by Hampshire firefighters.

He suffered life-threatening injuries and was been taken to Southampton General Hospital.

The driver of the Matiz was unhurt.

Students from Brockenhurst College, who were on the bus, were uninjured and were taken back to the college, where they were picked up by parents.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said engines from Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst as well as a special-equipment unit from St Mary’s station in Southampton attended the scene.

The road was closed into the evening.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, and anyone with information should call Sgt Dan Golding at Totton Road Policing Unit, quoting Operation Farandine, on 0845 045 45454.