A shocking incident unfolded in Manchester, UK, when a double-decker bus collided with a low bridge, resulting in the roof being torn off and injuring 15 people, three of whom sustained serious injuries. Dramatic doorbell camera footage captured the terrifying moment as the bus attempted to pass under the bridge.
Details of the Incident
According to reports, the bus crash occurred at the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles, Salford, around 3 PM BST. The North West Ambulance Service confirmed that 15 individuals were treated at the scene before being transported to the hospital, with one person reported in critical condition.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses described harrowing scenes following the collision. One eyewitness recounted hearing “screaming” immediately after the bus struck the bridge. Szymon Hundz, who witnessed the incident from his flat, noted that he saw two people fall from the top deck onto the ground. “I heard a loud, explosion-like sound,” Hundz said. He rushed down to assist, bringing chairs and water while searching for medical supplies from neighbors.
Hundz added, “I witnessed one man having a seizure and others with bleeding heads.”
Local resident Stacey Morley, living nearby, expressed her shock: “It was horrific, I’m still in shock. I just feel sorry for the people and their families.” Morley mentioned that this was the third or fourth time a bus had collided with the same canal bridge.
Urgent Investigation Launched
Another witness, Josh Tyldesley, shared his observations: “The roof of the bus had been completely ripped off. I saw a woman or a man lying at the back of the bus. I’ve never seen an emergency presence like it.”
Many witnesses reported seeing individuals with head injuries and confirmed that several children were on board. A social media post from local traffic police revealed that a similar bus crash occurred at the same location in April 2023.
In response to the accident, Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester’s transport commissioner, announced an immediate investigation. “First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone on board the bus,” Everitt stated. He emphasized that authorities are collaborating with the Greater Manchester Police and Stagecoach, the bus operator, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.