Seventeen people were taken to hospital after an Oxford Tube coach carrying 33 passengers overturned while leaving a motorway.

Four of the casualties had surgery for injuries including broken bones, with 13 others needing other treatment after the crash just off the M40 at Milton Common.

The double-deck vehicle flipped on its side just before 11pm yesterday on the north-bound slip road at junction 7.

All the casualties were taken to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and several have already been discharged.

Thames Valley Police said no other vehicle was involved in the incident, and it is not yet known what caused the crash.

Police closed the slip road while they investigated what happened, but the motorway remained open in both directions.

Six ambulances from South Central Ambulance Service attended the crash scene.

"The hospital is working well with its partners and relatives are being contacted," a spokesman for John Racliffe said.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said that five people remained in hospital today with serious injuries, although none are believed to be life threatening.

He said: "The exit slip at junction 7 was closed, as well as the A329 in both directions either side of the M40.

"The coach is in the process of being recovered from the motorway.

"Although the cause of the incident remains under investigation, officers do not believe that any other vehicle was involved.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Three Mile Cross roads policing unit via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505."

Were you on the coach? Call the newsdesk on 01865 425445.