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Woman dies after bus crashes into Darlington bank | Woman dies after bus crashes into Darlington bank |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A woman has died and two others have been injured after a bus ploughed into a Halifax bank in the centre of Darlington, County Durham. | |
The driver of the Arriva bus was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the crash shortly before 11am on Thursday. | The driver of the Arriva bus was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the crash shortly before 11am on Thursday. |
Ch Insp Graham Milne, of Durham police, said: “Obviously this is a tragic incident and I would like to extend my condolences to the deceased’s family. I would also ask anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the collision to contact us on 101.” | Ch Insp Graham Milne, of Durham police, said: “Obviously this is a tragic incident and I would like to extend my condolences to the deceased’s family. I would also ask anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the collision to contact us on 101.” |
Witnesses said the “absolutely shocking” collision happened when the bus driver pulled out and careered into the Halifax building society on busy Northgate. | |
Police confirmed that an elderly female pedestrian died in the crash and that two others were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. | |
One witness told the Northern Echo that they believed one person had died. “The No 2 bus was parked up on the side of the road and pulled out before going straight into the bank,” the witness said. “There was someone stuck under the wheel – I think two people were trapped, they’d just been walking along the road. | One witness told the Northern Echo that they believed one person had died. “The No 2 bus was parked up on the side of the road and pulled out before going straight into the bank,” the witness said. “There was someone stuck under the wheel – I think two people were trapped, they’d just been walking along the road. |
“I could see the person had passed away, they were not moving, and after a while they were covered up with a green blanket. It was absolutely shocking, I’m still shaking now – it just pulled out. That person was just out doing a bit of shopping and now they’re dead. | “I could see the person had passed away, they were not moving, and after a while they were covered up with a green blanket. It was absolutely shocking, I’m still shaking now – it just pulled out. That person was just out doing a bit of shopping and now they’re dead. |
“I don’t know if anyone in the bank was hurt, most of them were out and were taken into Boots. Everyone on the bus is giving statements. It was so horrible. | “I don’t know if anyone in the bank was hurt, most of them were out and were taken into Boots. Everyone on the bus is giving statements. It was so horrible. |
“The driver was sitting close by and has been talking to the police. My son and I were so lucky, we were using the cash machine just seconds before, but I’d forgotten my card, so left. If I hadn’t left it at home, I’d still have been there when it happened.” | “The driver was sitting close by and has been talking to the police. My son and I were so lucky, we were using the cash machine just seconds before, but I’d forgotten my card, so left. If I hadn’t left it at home, I’d still have been there when it happened.” |
Paul Frazer, who was on the bus when the accident happened, said the driver told passengers that he was going to move the vehicle forward slightly – but pulled out at what felt like 50mph. | Paul Frazer, who was on the bus when the accident happened, said the driver told passengers that he was going to move the vehicle forward slightly – but pulled out at what felt like 50mph. |
He said: “As I went to sit down I just saw this old lady and he just … as if he was just 50mph straight into Halifax. It was a bit of a scary shock. | He said: “As I went to sit down I just saw this old lady and he just … as if he was just 50mph straight into Halifax. It was a bit of a scary shock. |
“It looked like someone tumbled over and I got told someone was actually underneath … we were all shaken. There was this old lady, I thought she was going to have a heart attack.” | “It looked like someone tumbled over and I got told someone was actually underneath … we were all shaken. There was this old lady, I thought she was going to have a heart attack.” |
A spokeswoman for the North East ambulance service said paramedics were at the scene. “We have sent the air ambulance, three double-crewed ambulances, hazardous area rapid response team and an officer,” she said. “We have reports of three injured, one seriously. Two patients have left for hospital.” | |
Police, fire and ambulance services closed the road from the A167 Northgate junction to the Crown Street junction while they dealt with the accident. | Police, fire and ambulance services closed the road from the A167 Northgate junction to the Crown Street junction while they dealt with the accident. |
In a statement, bus firm Arriva said: “An investigation has been launched and we are cooperating fully with the emergency services and the police, who are leading the investigation. | In a statement, bus firm Arriva said: “An investigation has been launched and we are cooperating fully with the emergency services and the police, who are leading the investigation. |
“Our thoughts are with the families of those involved. We know there will be people concerned about family or friends, and to support them we have set up a dedicated emergency telephone number, which is 0191 520 4165.” | “Our thoughts are with the families of those involved. We know there will be people concerned about family or friends, and to support them we have set up a dedicated emergency telephone number, which is 0191 520 4165.” |