STORM LATEST: Police issue travel warning as 11 are hurt after bus blown over by Storm Doris

A bus which overturned in Walton Highway has left 11 people with injuries this afternoon (Thursday, February 23).

The incident is one of hundreds reported to the emergency services today as the region took a battering from the 80 mile per hour winds brought by Storm Doris.

And, with heavy rain expected over the next few hours, police are urging drivers not to travel unless they have to.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at Lynn Road at around 1.15pm, where the bus, which had passengers on board at the time, had blown over.

A police spokeswoman said the X1 service had also been in a collision with a lamp post.

An ambulance service spokesman said that while no one was trapped, 11 people were hurt – the worst of which was a head injury, and the patient had been taken to Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital as a precaution.

In total 15 patients were assessed, eight of whom were taken to the North Cambs Minor Injuries Unit at Wisbech, three were taken to the QEH as a precaution and four were discharged at the scene.

The injuries do not appear to be life-threatening or changing.

Emergency service chiefs estimate they have taken almost 400 weather-related calls since 8am today.

And police chiefs are concerned that heavy rain and the potential for flooding could add to the problems tonight.

Temporary assistant chief constable Mike Fawcett, of Norfolk Police, said a short time ago: “We want people to consider whether their journey is essential.

“If you do venture out, be mindful that flying debris, gusts of high winds and obstructions will make journeys and outdoor activities more dangerous.

“If you have to travel, plan your journey using routes with less exposure to the weather and consider your mode of transport.

“Motorbikes and bicycles are particularly vulnerable in high cross winds. A storm of this severity has the potential to overturn high-sided vehicles and caravans and we have already seen a bus affected by this in Walton Highway.

“We also ask that, given the high number of 999 calls all emergency services are responding to overall today, people consider whether their call is appropriate and keep in mind that they could be waiting for a response longer than they expect.”

A lorry was blown over on the A47, close to the Walsoken and Emneth turnings earlier.

And several vehicles have been smashed by trees, including one in Chase Avenue, Lynn, at around lunchtime.

Rail services have also been subject to delays because of speed restrictions.

All Norfolk’s recycling centres, except Mile Cross in Norwich, closed early.

And Lynn’s Mart is closed tonight because of the high winds.

Chief steward Donald Gray said the weather conditions meant it was unsafe for the fair to operate this evening. However, it is expected to be open as normal tomorrow.