An elderly man was today believed to be seriously hurt after he was hit by a bus taking youngsters to school.

The A13 was closed following the accident, which happened at about 8.35am in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley.

A police spokesman said an elderly pedestrian had been hit by the bus, which was full of children at the time.

The victim was rushed to Southend Hospital but police could not confirm his condition although they said the crash was "serious".

The bus was believed to have been taking children to nearby schools.

Paul Beashel, headteacher at the Deanes School in Rayleigh Road, went to the scene to comfort children from his school who witnessed the accident. A spokesman said: "The police came in and asked for someone to go up and see some of the children.

"They were quite naturally distressed. Some have been sent home while others have come into school."

A spokesman from nearby King John School in Shipwrights Drive, said some of their pupils had also seen what had happened.

She added: "Some of our children have been left quite upset by it. Our staff are talking to them and dealing with the situation."

Traffic was forced to queue along the A13, causing massive tailbacks, as the scene was cleared and investigated by Rayleigh traffic police.

Traffic chaos - the A13 grinds to a standstill after the accident involving the school bus

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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