Five children, four adults hurt in crash near Rhoose school
Five children and four adults have been taken to hospital following a serious car crash outside a school in south Wales.
Emergency services were called to Fontygary Road, Rhoose near Rhws Primary school at 08:50 BST after a car overturned.
Police said four people are being treated for "significant injuries". It understood no one has died.
The 61-year-old male driver of the car is assisting police with inquiries.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: "At this stage the collision is not believed to be a deliberate act."
Among the adults hurt is the driver of the car and school lollipop lady Karin Williams.
Resident Glenys Watson told how the daily school run descended into what looked like "a war zone".
"Parents heard the bang and thought it was a gun," she said. "They didn't know what happened."
"A few of the mums are turning up and taking their children home. They are all traumatised."
Another resident told BBC News she heard reports of a black car swerving before hitting a bollard and "going up in the air".
"Apparently the driver had a coughing fit and slammed on the accelerator instead of the brake," she said.
"The lollipop lady was escorting a number of kids across the road at the time."
An eye witness who called emergency services said: "I was walking my dog when I turned a corner and saw a car in mid-air.
"The road was choc-a-bloc with kids arriving for school - there was a huge crash and loads of screaming.
"Children were lying injured in the road and parents and passers-by were running to them to help.
"I called the emergency services and there were off-duty paramedics and parents assisting the injured.
"The lollipop lady was trapped... all I could see was her jacket from under the car.
"Children who saw it were ushered into the school and they are being kept inside while the rescue operation was going on."
The lollipop lady's broken stick was lying on the road next to the overturned Audi A3.
A woman who works in a nearby dog grooming parlour described the scene as "chaos".
The lollipop lady's broken stick was lying on the road next to the overturned Audi A3
The air ambulance, three rapid response vehicles and five emergency ambulances were sent to the scene, where there were "multiple casualties".
The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed six patients have been taken by ambulance to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Four of them were children with head or abdomen injuries and fractures, and two were adults with fractures.
Another two adults and a child, all with minor injuries, were taken to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend by ambulance.
Police said the road remained closed and emergency services were still at the scene.
"The school, which is open, is contacting parents and the Vale of Glamorgan Council is offering support to both school and pupils," a spokesperson added.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "I am very concerned to hear about this morning's incident in Rhoose and I am being kept fully informed of developments. Clearly, our thoughts are with those involved."
Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said it was a "terrible incident".
"My heart goes out to those affected. I am liaising with police over communication and support," he said.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or who gave assistance following the collision is asked to contact the South Wales Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit by calling 101.
Rhoose is a village in the Vale of Glamorgan, about 15 miles outside Cardiff. It is situated between the towns of Barry and Llantwit Major.
