A bus load of over-50 passengers had a lucky escape after the coach they were travelling in collided with a mobile crane.

The day trippers had travelled down from the Midlands for a visit to Eastbourne when the coach was involved in the collision.

The impact of the crash smashed in windows on the coach, showering the tourists in glass leaving some with cuts and many shaken with shock.

Residents living close to the crash site described the noise of the impact as like a “bomb going off”.

The accident happened on the A27 eastbound at Selmeston, between Lewes and Polegate, between the coach and mobile crane at 4.10pm yesterday.

Passengers on the coach were fortunately able to walk away with just minor injuries and were treated to restorative cups of tea at the nearby Barley Mow pub.

The collision closed the road in both directions for about an hour creating long tailbacks.

IT specialist Jonathan Fox has been campaigning for the speed limit to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph at the scene of the crash site because three of his children have to cross the road when dropped off by the school bus.

He said the petrol station and the junction to the village meant accidents were common in the area including on Saturday when two cars were written off after colliding with each other and then the village sign.

He added: “The crane would have smashed into the bus and the poor people on the coach were in a lot of shock.

“I heard the noise from my office window and it sounded like a bomb had gone off.

“I went out to make sure that everybody was ok and I could see the holidaymakers and all the windows caved in.

“They were covered in glass and some had to be helped into their wheelchairs, there were some quite elderly people on the bus and they were in shock.”

Mr Fox said he often heard the squeal of tyres and brakes from his home and there were near misses every day at the junction.

He added: “I am trying to get the county council to change their mind because at the moment three kids use the school bus and they get picked up on one side of the road and then dropped off on the other side and are expected to cross over the road.

“I would like to see them reduce the speed from 40mph to 30mph or to put a crossing in.”

An employee with Dudley-based Dunwood Travel said the group were on a day trip to Eastbourne when the accident happened.

He said: “Everyone is fine.

“We are not worried about the coach, the main thing is that all the passengers are ok and the bus driver is ok.”