The bus was ferrying rail passengers from Berwick to Lewes railway station on Saturday morning when it careered off the road through a hedge and almost tipped over.

Police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene in Station Road and the road was closed for several hours.

Three passengers suffered serious injuries and were taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

The drama began shortly after 10am when passengers from Eastbourne boarded the Brighton and Hove bus at Berwick railway station for the trip by road to Lewes because engineering works were being carried out on the railway line between Lewes and Eastbourne.

The replacement bus service had just left the station when witnesses said it began to slide towards a verge, through a hedge and started to tilt over.

The driver of the bus was arrested at the scene but later released on police bail and will report to police in April.

A police spokesman told the Gazette, "A Brighton & Hove double-decker bus transporting a large number of rail passengers from Berwick to Lewes railway station apparently lost control on Station Road, Berwick.

"The bus left the road and went into a neighbouring field. Three passengers suffered serious injuries and a number of other passengers received slight injuries."

Officers from Sussex Police are now appealing for passengers on the bus who were transferred to another bus before they could be interviewed, to contact them.

The spokesman added, "Police are asking any passengers who were on the bus at the time of the accident who have not already spoken to the police to contact them on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Lazarus.

"Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who holds any information that may be relevant is also asked to contact police using the same number."

The Department of Transport has launched an investigation and the damaged bus is now being examined by vehicle inspectors.