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Parents have hit out at Translink after it was claimed a bus driver left up to 40 schoolchildren outside Belfast Zoo in the rain.

Pupils from both Belfast Model School for Girls and Belfast Boys' Model School were allegedly told to get off when the driver said they were on the wrong bus.

Mum-of-two Joanne Campbell told Belfast Live her daughter Megan Doherty had got on what she claims was the No4 bus at York Road which normally takes her to school.

But her daughter said when the driver missed a street on the normal route, the pupils were told he was going to Glengormley and were left off at Belfast Zoo.

"They get a special school bus and it picks them up on the York Road and takes them to school but the bus driver decided they were on the wrong bus, 40 kids, and he made them get off outside Belfast Zoo in that rain," said Joanne, from North Belfast.

"My daughter is 18 but there were first years standing there in that lashing rain. The school were brilliant and they got on to Translink and got another bus out."

Joanne added she was outraged that the children had been abandoned in the bad weather.

"She normally gets the number four and she said it had number four on it," said Joanne.

"I think the bus driver missed a street and one of the girls got up and went to say and she was told to sit down.

"Maybe then he realised that he had not changed his number but it's the fact he just dumped them outside Belfast Zoo in that lashing rain.

"For her to have to stand in those conditions, I think a lot of parents have been on to Translink.

"The bus driver told them his route was going to Glengormley.

"The children called the school and the school was going to send mini buses but they then got on to Translink and another bus was sent."

Joanne added: "How would you like your children to be dumped off like that?"

A Translink spokesman confirmed: "We are currently investigating the circumstances of this incident."

Belfast Model School for Girls principal Emlyn Wright said: "The school contacted Translink who arranged a replacement bus to take the pupils to school, and senior school staff immediately went to the location where our pupils had been disembarked.

"It is my understanding that Translink are investigating the incident and I will be seeking assurances that procedures are put in place to ensure an incident of this nature cannot happen again."

Belfast Live has also contacted Belfast Boys' Model School for a comment.