TWO students have told of the moment they rescued fellow pupils after a traumatic coach crash.

Some students were taken to hospital after a college bus carrying 16 people toppled over on Plumpton Lane near Lewes last week.

Images from the scene showed the Plumpton College coach on its side with a shattered front window.

Pupils Tristan Taylor and Billie-Mae Gillingham, both 17, were travelling on the coach behind.

Speaking together from Tristan’s home, they revealed how they tended to the injured and helped fellow students get out.

They said: “It was scary. We’re still a bit traumatised. There were some bloody injuries, and some students were taken to hospital. They’re all out now, but we’re just glad we helped.

“From our perspective, we could see the coach in front of us tip. We were sat on the coach behind and we jolted forward when it stopped. We looked out of the window and we all just stood up and ran out.

“When we got there we had to force open the hatches on top of the coach to let people out.

“We checked the injured first to make sure they were talking and not going into shock.

“We didn’t have a chance to think. We just ran.

“Someone got a shock hammer from inside the coach and smashed the windscreen to rescue the driver.

“He was the last to get out. He was conscious, but a bit wobbly. He wasn’t seriously injured, but he was shocked about what had happened.”

The pair insisted the driver had not been to blame. They said: “It wasn’t his fault. It’s the poor quality road. It was pitch black and there was fog. There’s no lighting, and it’s so narrow the tyres always go on the verge.

“We’re surprised this hasn’t happened before.”

The two have decided to write a letter to the council to get lights and railings put up on Plumpton Lane.

But it appears the students’ efforts may already have been rebuffed.

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We are aware of concerns raised about this location and have inspected the road following last week’s crash. The inspection didn’t raise any issues and this section of the road has a good safety record.

“We only have very limited resources for road safety improvements, which we have to target where the need is greatest and where they will have the most impact. Due to its good safety record, this location is not a priority for us at the moment.

“On any road, and in particular narrow country lanes such as these, drivers have a responsibility to take care and drive to the conditions, including the layout of the road and weather conditions.”