Nine injured as double-decker bus collides with railway bridge

Nine people have been injured as a double-decker Diamond bus collided with the railway bridge on Richard Street, near Rochdale train station on Wednesday (29 April).

Five of the passengers, one of which has a significant leg injury, have been taken to hospital following the 2pm collision of the 471 service between Rochdale town centre and Bolton.

All emergency services attended the incident, which saw the North West Ambulance Service send three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and an advanced paramedic.

NWAS confirmed it had taken five patients to hospital.

 

 

A spokesperson for the police said: “Police were called shortly after 2.10pm today (Wednesday 29 April 2020) to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus and a bridge on Station Road in Rochdale.

“Nine passengers on board the bus have been injured and are receiving treatment from emergency services.

“Richard Street and Station Street have been temporarily closed while the scene remains in place.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Spokesperson said: “At 2.40pm today two fire engines from Rochdale and the Technical Response Unit from Ashton Under Lyne attended a road traffic collision involving a double decker bus and a railway bridge at the junction of Station Road and Richard Street in Rochdale. Firefighters used two hose reels, cutting away gear, a short extension ladder and lighting. Crews were at the scene for two hours.”

A spokesperson at Diamond Bus North West said: "Diamond Bus can confirm one of our vehicles operating service 471 between Bolton and Rochdale has been involved in an incident with a bridge, which has resulted in a number of passengers sustaining injuries.

"We’ve immediately launched a full internal investigation to establish the circumstances that has led to this collision and are assisting Greater Manchester police with their enquiries.

"Everyone at Diamond Bus North West is shocked by this incident and our thoughts are with the injured passengers. All injured parties have been taken to hospital but we have no updates as yet."