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Rochdale bus crash: double-decker hits railway bridge Rochdale bus crash: double-decker hits railway bridge
(35 minutes later)
Three people have been taken to hospital and dozens more hurt after the roof of a double-decker bus was sheared off when it hit a low bridge on a busy road in Rochdale. Eleven people have been taken to hospital and 17 more treated for injuries after a double-decker bus smashed into a railway bridge, shearing its roof off.
Rail services have been stopped from crossing the bridge over Milkstone Road, close to Rochdale train station in north-west England, and local road closures are in place after the No 17 bus crashed into it just before 12.30pm. Rail services had to be stopped and roads closed around Milkstone Road in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, after the No 17 bus smashed into the bridge just before 12.30pm on Wednesday.
Fourteen paramedic vehicles, including ambulances and emergency response units, attended the scene, taking two patients to Royal Oldham hospital and a third to Rochdale infirmary. A man and a woman suffered serious facial injuries, according to reports. Passengers were left in shock after the impact ripped the bus roof off completely. One was seriously injured with a broken jaw in the crash, but none of those injured were trapped in the wreckage.
Early reports suggested there were about 25 people on the bus, some of whom were injured, according to a spokesman. the Manchester Evening News was reporting a total of 25 injuries, with about 50 or 60 passengers on board. North West ambulance service sent 14 units, including ambulances and rapid response units, to tend to the wounded. A witness described how some victims were bleeding and one had to be placed in an oxygen mask. Many more were said to be in shock.
More details soon ... Pictures of the scene showed the bus’s roof lying on the road behind the vehicle, buckled and twisted but intact. Its sudden removal had apparently allowed the bus to continue travelling even further beneath the low bridge.
UPDATE re Rochdale RTC. 17 injured, 1 seriously with a broken jaw. Bridge checked , Trains running normally. pic.twitter.com/CT6bL10xRx
Some more images from the scene... pic.twitter.com/rBfEggEldf
Trains from nearby Rochdale railway station were allowed to continue crossing the bridge after engineers checked the structure and confirmed it was safe.
Paul Shah, who witnessed the smash and rushed to help those hurt, told the Manchester Evening News: “The roof just came off, it came straight off and there was a massive mess. It was on the floor and I went over and helped injured people.”
He said he thought there were as many as 60 people riding the bus, 10 of whom looked badly hurt, adding: “It was awful to see them coming off with injuries, it looked like cuts from broken glass and people banging their faces against the seats.”
Not everyday you're on a bus that cashes into a bridge, scariest moment of my life pic.twitter.com/3VNkhoA74t
#Rochdale Examiners have been on site and inspected the bridge. Lines are now open. @nationalrailenq
Greater Manchester police said there were about 25 passengers on the bus at the time of the crash. Insp Stephen Clarke from the force’s Rochdale division said: “We are working closely with the emergency services to deal with all the passengers who have been involved in this incident and ensure they are all receiving the appropriate treatment.
“Clearly, there are lots of people in shock but luckily no one was trapped on the bus. Our investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing and we would encourage anyone with any information to get in touch.
“Obviously there will be traffic congestion in the area for the next few hours, and we would encourage all traffic to avoid the area where possible.”
Greater Manchester fire and rescue service sent two fire engines and two vehicles with specialist rescue equipment to the crash. A spokeswoman said: “There were multiple casualties but nobody was trapped so there was nothing we could do.”