The Mitcheldean Golf Society encountered an unexpected end to their day out on Saturday, September 19th; while they were on their way home, their coach caught fire, and soon became engulfed in flames.

The H&H coach was travelling back from Bristol, along the M4, and there were 15 people on board, including the driver.

The driver was alerted to a problem with the engine by passing vehicles – the engine of the vehicle was located at the rear. He pulled over to investigate, and discovered a fire had started.

He immediately evacuated the passengers from the coach, and attempted to extinguish the fire himself, but it was too late, and the fire had already taken hold and was no match for the hand held extinguisher.

Jo Bridges Aubrey, who works for H&H coaches told the Ross Gazette:?“The passengers were safely transported by a passing coach who kindly stopped to offer their services.”

She added: “We have been in close contact with the organiser of the trip regularly since the incident and he has only had praise for the actions of the driver.”

Julian Knight, from Ross-on-Wye was on the coach. He spoke to the Ross Gazette after the incident. He said the group were evacuated before they realised the coach was on fire, and everyone got out safely. “There were no injuries at all,” he said. “It was just our golf kit that was lost.”

For the full article, see this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.