Girl dies as bus plunges off bridge

Natasha Paton, from Cleghorn, near Lanark, was among the group heading for Alton Towers in Staffordshire when their bus skidded off a bridge in South Lanarkshire, Scotland

The 17-year-old is thought to have become trapped underneath the vehicle.

Another 44 people, three with serious injuries, from Lanark Grammar School needed hospital treatment following the crash just after 6am.

Police said the cause was still under investigation, but it was clear snow "had a part to play".

The coach had only been on the road for about 12 miles when the driver lost control in icy conditions and crashed through the bridge wall and plunged into the river. Some victims were rescued through the sun roof.

Iain Heggison, whose house is nearby, said: "I heard a bang. I went outside and that's when I noticed the bus in the burn. It was lying on its side. It was packed with kids. They were crying and hysterical. It was horrible."

Heavy snow, gale-force winds and torrential rain hit Scotland and Northern Ireland, causing widespread travel chaos.

Up to 30,000 homes and businesses in Northern Ireland were still without electricity last night and were warned they could face several days without power.

Weather forecasters said the bad weather was set to continue into Easter weekend.