Seventeen people have been injured after a Heathrow Airport to Oxford coach overturned in thick fog on the M40 this morning.

The Oxford Bus Company coach came off the M40 slip road northbound at junction seven at around 2.45am on Friday (December 30).

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said 17 passengers were harmed, with injuries ranging from broken collar bones to cuts and bruises.

A spokesman for the SCAS told getwestlondon: "The male coach driver and 16 adult passengers, a mixture of male and female, had sustained a variety of injuries, such as cuts, bruises and broken bones.

"All 17 patients were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

"At the scene we had six ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, three ambulance officers and the trust's hazardous area response team."

Managing director of Oxford Bus Company, Phil Southall, said it was too early to speculate the cause.

He said: "We are thankful that there were no serious injuries and we have been advised that injuries incurred were a spinal injury, a broken collarbone and minor head injuries.

"Our thoughts are with those who have been injured, particularly at this time of year.

"Company representatives have spoken with all those involved and are continuing to assist the emergency services with their investigations."

He added: "The driver of the coach is 54 years old, very experienced, and has worked for the company for 20 years.

"He has been working overnight shifts for a number of years."

Thames Valley Police has said the slip road would be closed for several hours while recovery work is carried out.

Delays have hit flights at Heathrow Airport on Thursday (December 29) after freezing fog coated London overnight.

The airport said delays will continue today, and other airports in the UK and Europe, due to the weather.

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