Dozens of schoolchildren on their way home from attending a Shropshire activity centre were injured in a motorway pile-up involving two coaches.

Pupils from Blackshaw Primary and Masefield Primary Schools, in Bolton, had to be taken to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Salford Royal Hospital after their buses were involved in the crash on the M62 yesterday afternoon.

The youngsters had been coming back from a residential adventure course for schools at the PGL Boreatton Park facility near Shrewsbury.

Sarah Reynolds, marketing manager at PGL Travel, said: “The schools had both made their own travel arrangements and we believe that they were returning home at the time of the incident.

“Our thoughts are with the injured and their families and we hope that all involved make a quick recovery.”

Emergency services were called to the M62 near Manchester, shortly after 3.10pm following reports of a smash on the eastbound carriageway, near the J12 exit.

A total of 30 ambulances were called to the scene of the pile-up, which involved the two coaches, two vans and a car.

One of the single-decker coaches was carrying 49 children from Blackshaw, while the other had 30 children from Masefield Primary on board.

One of the coach drivers was treated for a suspected broken leg following the smash and about 50 people were given treatment for minor injuries.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Following the coach crash incident yesterday afternoon on the M62, all pupils from both schools returned safely to their families yesterday evening, and some of the children are attending school today.

“Fourteen children from Masefield and 11 from Blackshaw were initially admitted to Salford Royal Infirmary and Manchester Royal Infirmary for precautionary examinations and treatment for minor injuries.

“A small number of staff accompanying the pupils on the school visit also suffered minor injuries and received treatment before being discharged yesterday evening.

“A number of the children are understandably shaken and are being offered support and counselling.”

By Chris Burn