Up to eight people have potentially serious injuries after a double-decker bus overturned in a field after a crash in Devon, police said.

The incident occurred on the A385 between Totnes and Paignton, near Lombcrombe Cross.

Emergency services rescued passengers trapped in the wreckage of the Stagecoach South West vehicle after the crash at about 11am.

Gerald Taylor, the Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service area manager, said the casualties were no longer at the scene of the collision.

Devon and Cornwall police said roads had been closed and advised people to avoid the area. The force added that the driver of the bus had not been arrested but was helping police with its investigation.

“Health partners have indicated there may now be up to eight casualties who are described as having potentially seriously injuries.”

The force said casualties were receiving treatment at hospitals across the region, while uninjured passengers were taken to Paignton bus station and Paignton Library to help them with their onward journeys.

They added: “All casualties have left the location however the road will remain closed for [the] foreseeable future as investigative work continues at the scene.”

The bus had left Torquay at 10.10am and was heading towards Plymouth.

A spokesman for Stagecoach South West confirmed that one of its buses was involved in the incident and that the company was helping the emergency services.He said: “Safety is our absolute priority and we will be assisting the investigation into the circumstances involved in the incident.”