A hero driver pulled onto the hard shoulder and helped evacuate the terrified pupils and staff who scrambled to safety moments before the coach exploded into a fireball.
Dramatic pictures show The Green Bus engulfed in flames on the M6 at 3.40pm on Monday (23/5).
Traffic was brought to a standstill on the northbound carriageway at junction 3A near Birmingham and three of the four lanes remained closed until 7.30pm.
The quick-thinking Eavesway Travel of Wigan driver loaded the school onto his coach and took them to a nearby museum where a replacement bus picked them up.