Separate investigations are underway into the causes of a school bus crash in Co Cork that left three children injured.

Bus Éireann, which sub-contracted the bus, says it is investigating whether the heavy rain played a part in the accident.

Three pupils were taken to Cork University Hospital, with non life threatening injuries, after the incident in a rural area at Cregg South on the Ballyhooley to Fermoy road shortly after 8.00am this morning.

The three children were trapped for a period - but were removed safely.

The majority of the passengers were taken to a nearby school to be reunited with their parents and receive treatment for bruising and shock.

The bus had 51 people on board.

Image: Jonathan Healy

The bus was operated by Glenferry Coaches on behalf of Bus Éireann carrying pupils from several schools.

Bus Éireann says the vehicle was sub-contracted for its school transport services.

"The 53 seater bus had 52 students on board, when the incident occurred - following adverse weather conditions this weekend," the firm says in a statement.

"The cause of the accident has not yet been established, but is currently under investigation by Bus Éireann and the relevant authorities", it adds.

Image: Jonathan Healy

Nicola Cooke from Bus Éireann says it is investigating whether the weather played a part in the accident.

Garda forensic collision investigators are at the scene and the road at Gregg South remains sealed off.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) said seven emergency service vehicles attended the scene, but a major emergency was not declared.

The cause of the accident is not yet known and gardaí have also launched an investigation.

Newstalk.com's southern correspondent Jonathan Healy was at the scene, and spoke to the Pat Kenny Show earlier.

Eileen Gowan is from Ballyhooley and her two children were on the bus.