SCHOOLCHILDREN survived by ‘the grace of God’ last night after a tractor almost tore off the roof of a double-decker bus.

One teenage girl had to be airlifted to Great Western Hospital (GWH) after she was cut from the upper deck by emergency services at around 4pm.

Another two pupils were taken by road ambulances to GWH for treatment to minor injuries – which reportedly included glass to the face.

The accident occurred in Lydiard Green, a 30mph road, between Bagbury Lane and Church Road, near Lydiard Millicent centre, West Swindon.

Neighbours said the 37 remaining pupils, who were all travelling in the direction of Swindon, from Bradon Forest Secondary, in Purton, were picked-up by ‘frightened parents’ soon after the crash.

Justin Holloway, who lives in Lydiard Green, said he was amazed there were no fatalities considering the number of windows that had been torn off by the tractor, which was exiting from a farming property.

He said: “Three of the upper deck’s seven windows were completely severed by a raised grabber on the tractor, so it was really by the grace of God that these children survived.

“Especially when you think about kids and how they like sitting up top in the front so they can look around.

“Looking at it now, given the way it penetrated, it’s amazing someone wasn’t killed.”

A Thamesdown Transport spokesman said the B4, a company run school bus, was on its way to drop the remaining students off at Sparcells and Peatmoor before the accident took place.

Dave Wilmot said: “The tractor had a raised grabber at the front and this tore through the upper deck of the bus at the front and down the side.

“It was a difficult operation removing the girl through the windows of the bus on a spinal board – she was placed on this as a standard precaution.

“When the first 999 call came in, we responded as if it were a major incident.

“Fortunately, none of the injuries appear to be particularly serious, but the incident could clearly have been much worse.”

Bradon Forest headteacher Len Spiers was due to visit the Great Western Hospital last night to speak with parents.

He said: “It is any parent or teachers worst nightmare. You just want to know the kids are alright.

“Paramedics checked all the children out.

“Parents were contacted and the vast majority were taken home.

“The kids are obviously extremely shocked.

“Children in shock need to be with their parents.

“Emergency services have handled the incident very well."