Fifteen hurt as double-decker bus hits bridge

Fifteen people have been injured as a double-decker bus had its roof torn off after striking a bridge.

The vehicle crashed at the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles, Salford, at about 15:00 BST, Greater Manchester Police said.

North West Ambulance Service said 15 people had been treated at the scene and then taken to hospital after the crash.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said the bus was a 100 service in operation at the time of the crash.

A large number of paramedics, including an air ambulance, are at the scene. Road closures are in place, with police advising people to avoid the area.

North West Ambulance Service said it had sent 10 emergency ambulances, its hazard response team and colleagues from North West Air Ambulance, with the first team arriving at 15.10.

“NWAS treated 15 patients who were all taken to Salford Royal or Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals,” it added.

Stacey Morley, who lives next to the scene of the crash, said this was the “third or fourth time” she had seen a bus crash into the same canal bridge.

“It was horrific, I’m still in shock,” she said.

“I just feel sorry for the people and their families.”

Another witness who lives in the area said seeing the crash and its aftermath was “really upsetting”.

She said: “I’ve actually never seen anything like it in my life.

“[There were] lots of children on the bus, the bus is a mess.”

A TfGM spokesperson said it “had received reports of a double-decker bus colliding with a bridge on Barton Road in Eccles”.

“The bus was a 100 service and in operation at the time of the collision,” they said.

“Our absolute priority right now is supporting the emergency response and the people who were on board.”

A bus has previously had its roof ripped off after striking the same bridge in April 2023.