The public transport network has issued a statement about yesterday’s storm drama which saw school children allegedly stranded on a bus for several hours
Rob Currell GAU audience writer
17:10, 10 Dec 2025Updated 19:01, 10 Dec 2025
A school bus became stuck in traffic on the Portaferry Road yesterday as at least one parent tried to get answers(Image: PA)
Translink have issued a statement after a school bus incident yesterday on Portaferry Road in Co Down during a significant storm.
Storm Bram caused substantial problems for people all over the United Kingdom and Ireland as thousands of residents were left without power.
At least one parent reached out to Translink on social media after claiming their children had contacted them saying they were stuck on the notorious stretch of road out of Newtownards and next to Strangford Lough. The parent informed Translink that their children had been stuck on the bus for two hours as they sought answers from the company. The parent alleged that when they contacted Translink’s office, the organisation was unaware of the incident.
The Translink representative apologised to the parent and informed them to get the school children to ask the driver for clarification on the situation. It was confirmed that PSNI attended the incident.
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Belfast Live reached out to Translink for comment, and a spokesperson said today: “We safely carried thousands of pupils home yesterday during Storm Bram.
“The Portaferry Road was flooded as a result of the storm, causing a number of vehicles to break down further blocking the road, and a bus carrying pupils from Regent House to Portaferry became stuck in the traffic.
“When the road became passable, the bus was able to safely continue its journey.”
The storm was responsible for dozens of flights being cancelled at Belfast and Dublin airports. Severe flooding was also reported in several areas which impacted ports and roads across various regions.
Numerous ferry services across the Irish Sea and the west coast of Scotland were cancelled, including routes from Northern Ireland.
In a post on Facebook last night, Portaferry Coastguard Rescue said: “We have just stood down from a chaotic scene on the Portaferry road. Coastguard Rescue Officers and Specialist rescue officers from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue assisted multiple vehicles including a school bus filled with children.
“Officers in full water rescue equipment cleared the road to allow the vehicles to get to safely.”
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