Woman in ICU after serious school bus crash that left six children in hospital near Albany

A 72-year-old woman is fighting for life after a crash with a school bus near Albany left her trapped in a car with critical injuries while six schoolchildren were taken to hospital. Police say an orange school bus and a white Nissan Almera collided at the intersection of Lower Denmark Road and Cosy Corner Road in Kronkup about 3.15pm on Monday. The 72-year-old, who was the front passenger in the Nissan, was trapped for almost an hour before volunteer firefighters from Albany and Denmark used the Jaws of Life to rip off the roof of the vehicle. The woman was taken to Albany Health Campus with critical injuries about 6.30pm. She was later flown to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and admitted to the Royal Perth Hospital trauma ward about 2am on Tuesday. The school bus was carrying 24 primary school children aged four to 11. Six children with minor injuries were taken to Albany Health Campus as a precaution. The children were discharged from hospital later that evening. The Nissan Almera was carrying two other occupants who were not injured. Police say the school bus was turning on to Lower Denmark Road when the crash occurred. Lower Denmark Road was closed for several hours on Monday and reopened at about 6am on Tuesday morning. Major crash detectives examined the scene on Tuesday morning. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report the information online, Dash cam or mobile phone vision can be uploaded via via this link.