The driver of a 4X4 which collided with the front of a coach carrying schoolchildren on the Lizard is in hospital with life threatening injuries, police have said.

Both drivers and one schoolchild were taken to hospital after the car and the Mullion School coach crashed on Wednesday afternoon.

The coach was carrying 13 children and returning to the school a little before 4pm when it was involved in a crash with a blue Daihatsu Fourtra 4x4, a mile from the Wheel Inn.

Police, fire and ambulance services were called to the scene, and the driver of the coach was treated for a leg injury while the 4x4 driver, a local man, suffered multiple injuries.

A police spokesperson said: "The male driver of the 4x4 was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth with serious head, chest and leg injuries, where he remains. These injuries are life threatening.

"The coach driver received a leg injury and was taken to Treliske Hospital. His injuries are not life threatening or life changing. One child was taken to Treliske Hospital with minor injuries"

The fire service reported that one person was trapped in a vehicle and had to be cut out using crash rescue equipment before being left in the care of the ambulance service.

Mullion School was holding an open evening at the time, which was reported to have finished early as news of the crash spread.

Mullion School head teacher Wayne Randall said in a statement: "At the end of the day yesterday, one of our school buses was involved in a serious road traffic accident. On hearing this, staff from the school raced to the scene in order to protect and care for our pupils. All pupils were understandably frightened and shaken by this traumatic experience.

"Pupils were driven back to the school by our staff and were checked by an Ambulance crew to ensure they were OK and to provide advice for parents should they have any concerns.

"The response from the staff was outstanding and is a reflection on what makes Mullion School a special place to be.

"We cannot thank the emergency services enough for the care and professionalism that they demonstrated at the scene nor our appreciation and thanks to members of the public who assisted with the immediate care of our pupils.

"Our thoughts are with both the drivers and their families, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery."

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision. Please email 101dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 508 of October 12.