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London bus crash leaves two people critically injured London bus crash leaves two people critically injured
(about 2 hours later)
Two people, including a 19-year-old woman, are in critical condition after a bus crashed into a tree in Kennington, south London, a police sergeant at the scene has confirmed. Two people, including a 19-year-old woman, are in a critical condition after a bus crashed into a tree in Kennington, south London.
Police, ambulance and fire crews are on the scene of the crash, in which a number of others are also said to have been injured. Police, ambulance and fire crews are on the scene of the crash, in which around 30 passengers are said to have been injured.
A tree was embedded in the front of the bus and emergency crews were using cutting equipment to gain access to one side of the vehicle. Two casualties were trapped for two hours on the top deck of the bus before being freed by firefighters, using cutting equipment, at around 1pm.
A tree was embedded in the front of the bus and emergency crews were using specialist equipment to gain access to one side of the vehicle.
The No 59 double-decker "swerved to avoid another vehicle and struck a tree" at around 10.50am, Transport for London's director for buses, Mike Weston, said.The No 59 double-decker "swerved to avoid another vehicle and struck a tree" at around 10.50am, Transport for London's director for buses, Mike Weston, said.
He added: "The incident took place on Kennington Road near the Imperial War Museum, SE1.He added: "The incident took place on Kennington Road near the Imperial War Museum, SE1.
"Our first concern is, of course, for the driver, passengers and others involved in this incident and we can confirm the emergency services are in attendance. There will be a thorough investigation into this incident as a matter of urgency.""Our first concern is, of course, for the driver, passengers and others involved in this incident and we can confirm the emergency services are in attendance. There will be a thorough investigation into this incident as a matter of urgency."
A man with a bloodied head was seen being put on to an ambulance and emergency crews were using a cherry picker to gain access to the back of the bus. The final passenger to be cut free appeared to be sitting on the second row from the front of the top deck of the bus, according to an eyewitness.
When asked how many people had been hurt, a police sergeant said "a lot". It is not known if anyone has died. "The bus just doesn't look like a bus. The whole front is smashed," said Josh Tutt, a worker in the area. "A tree is slanting through the bus, going through the front left door and it goes up through the roof."
Tutt told the Guardian that shocked passengers were being treated by paramedics at the scene. "I've seen lots of people being taken out of the bus. I didn't see anything overly serious but there was one man trapped on the top deck. He couldn't move and he had an oxygen mask on," he said.
"He was on the second row. There was a load of paramedics around him and all the other passengers were removed. I think they're all shocked. They were all sitting near the bus on chairs that people had given them to use. I don't know what happened to the driver."
A man with a bloodied head was seen being put on to an ambulance and emergency crews were using a cherry-picker to gain access to the back of the bus.
Scotland Yard said at 1pm that there was no fatality "at this stage" and that there had been no arrest. A spokesman for the London Ambulance service said it had been treating around 30 patients at the scene.
The front of the bus, which was heading to King's Cross, was crumpled against a tree near the Ship pub on Kennington Road.The front of the bus, which was heading to King's Cross, was crumpled against a tree near the Ship pub on Kennington Road.
Fire crews used ladders to remove people and seats from the top of the back of the bus. One onlooker said the driver was trapped inside. London fire brigade said two people were believed to be trapped and around a dozen injured. Fire crews used ladders to remove people and seats from the top of the back of the bus. One onlooker said the driver was trapped inside. London fire brigade said two people had been trapped.
A spokesman said: "Firefighters are attending a double decker bus that's crashed into a tree on Kennington Road, Kennington. A spokesman said: "Four fire engines are on the scene from Soho, Westminster and Lambeth fire stations. London ambulance service, the air ambulance and the Metropolitan police are also at the scene."
"Around a dozen people are believed to have been injured and firefighters are working to release two people who are believed to be trapped. Firefighters were called out at 10.52am and four engines went to the scene.
"Four fire engines are on the scene from Soho, Westminster and Lambeth fire stations. London ambulance service, the air ambulance and the Metropolitan police are also at the scene." A London ambulance service spokesman said: "We were called at 10.50am to reports of a road traffic accident involving a bus and a tree. We have a number of staff at the scene. A single vehicle responded, an ambulance and a London air ambulance remain at the scene."
Firefighters were called out at 10.52am and four engines were rushed to the scene. The road is currently closed in both directions with routes 3, 59, 159 and 360 on diversion. The vehicle was operated by Arriva.
There were no updates on injuries from police and the London ambulance service (LAS), which both attended.
An LAS spokesman said: "We were called at 10.50am to reports of a road traffic accident involving a bus and a tree. We have a number of staff at the scene. A single vehicle responded, an ambulance and a London air ambulance remain at the scene."
The road is currently closed in both directions with routes 3, 59, 159 and 360 on diversion.
The vehicle is operated by Arriva.
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