Fifteen people have been injured after a double decker had its roof torn off when ploughing into a bridge.
The bus had been travelling towards the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles, Salford, Greater Manchester, at around 3pm today when it smashed into the bridge.
Three of the 15 injured – all of whom were rushed to hospital – are said to have sustained serious injuries, with one in a critical condition.
The incident occurred on the No.100 service, which departs from Shudehill and travels to Salford, Trafford Centre and Warrington.
Ten emergency ambulances and an air ambulance were sent to the area, where there were reports of screams coming from those on the top floor of the bus.
One witness told Manchester Evening News: ‘I could just hear screaming coming from the top of the bus.’
Another local added: ‘I was shocked but not surprised as this is the third time this has happened. Another bus and a lorry have done it. You feel for the people on the bus.’
Double decker buses have collided with the same bridge – also severely damaging their roofs – in two separate instances in June 2020 and December 2023.
The bridge, which has become somewhat of an accident hotspot over the years, is just 11ft 6 inches high.
Fifteen people have been injured after a double decker had its roof torn off when ploughing into a bridge
The bus had been travelling through the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles, Salford, Greater Manchester, at around 3pm today when it smashed into the bridge
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: ‘We are currently responding to a collision between a bus and a bridge at the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles.
‘Emergency services are currently on scene as part of the ongoing work. Please avoid the area as road closures are currently in place.’
A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) added: ‘Shortly after 3.10pm we received reports of a double-decker bus colliding with a bridge on Barton Lane in Eccles.
‘The bus was a 100 service and in operation at the time of the collision. Emergency services are at the scene, with reports of several injured passengers.
‘Our absolute priority right now is supporting the emergency response and the people who were on board.’
Northwest Ambulance Service said they declared a major incident after being called to the scene.
Another double decker bus collided with the same bridge in June 2020 in an incident that three passengers injured while bending the roof of the bus backwards and shattering the glass
Another crash in December 2023 saw the front of the roof torn off after it struck the bridge
They said: ‘The trust dispatched a number of resources, including ten emergency ambulances, advanced paramedics, our Hazard Area Response Team (HART) and colleagues from North West Air Ambulance. The first resource arrived on time at 15.10.
‘NWAS treated 15 patients who were all taken to Salford Royal or Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals.
‘At 16:22 NWAS stood down from major incident status but continues to remain on scene.
The area is very busy, with road closures in place; please follow @GMPSalford for the latest traffic updates.’
