Fifteen people have been taken to hospital after a double-decker bus collided with a low bridge in Eccles, prompting a major emergency response including an air ambulance.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:10pm on Monday when the number 100 bus struck the bridge at the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with North West Ambulance Service deploying ten emergency ambulances, a hazard response team and the North West Air Ambulance.
All fifteen injured passengers were transported to either Salford Royal or Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals for treatment. The extent of their injuries has not been confirmed by authorities.
Witness Accounts
Horrified witnesses described hearing screams in the immediate aftermath of the collision. One person who arrived at the scene minutes after the crash told Manchester Evening News: “It [was] probably two minutes before I got there. I could just hear screaming coming from the top of the bus.
The witness described seeing devastating damage to the vehicle, with the roof “ripped clean off” and seats at the rear of the bus showing significant damage, whilst those at the front appeared relatively unscathed.
Another witness recalled seeing emergency responders rushing to the scene. “I just heard the sirens from the ambulances. Then when three came I knew something serious was going on,” they said. “I saw a woman waving paramedics to the scene. I came out and I could see the bus roof on the floor.”
The witness added they observed a person on the ground next to the bus “being treated” and noted the arrival of two air ambulances, though they were unsure where they landed.
Emergency Response
North West Ambulance Service confirmed their first team arrived at 3:10pm, just minutes after the collision was reported. A spokesperson stated: “NWAS treated 15 patients who were all taken to Salford Royal or Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals.”
Greater Manchester Police issued a statement warning the public to avoid the area: “We are currently responding to a collision between a bus and a bridge at the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles. Emergency services are currently on scene as part of the ongoing work. Please avoid the area as road closures are currently in place.”
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed the vehicle was the 100 service, which operates between Shudehill and destinations including Salford, the Trafford Centre and Warrington. The bus was in operation at the time of the collision.
“The bus was a 100 service and in operation at the time of the collision,” a TfGM spokesperson said. “Our absolute priority right now is supporting the emergency response and the people who were on board.”
History of Bridge Strikes
The incident has reignited concerns about the notorious low bridge, which has been the site of multiple collisions over the years. One witness told reporters this was “the third time this has happened,” citing previous incidents involving “another bus and a lorry.”
The bridge, which carries the Bridgewater Canal, has a long history of vehicle strikes. In April 2023, a Diamond Bus North West double-decker had its roof torn off after colliding with the same structure, though that bus was empty and not in service at the time.
Just months earlier, in December 2023, another bus crashed into the bridge at around 7:20am, though no serious injuries were reported in that incident as the vehicle was empty except for the driver.
The bridge’s troubled history extends back decades. In 1966, a similar incident saw a bus crash into the structure with a teenage passenger narrowly escaping serious injury by throwing himself flat as the roof was crushed to seat level.
Ongoing Investigation
Road closures remained in place on Monday evening as emergency services worked at the scene and authorities began investigating the circumstances of the crash. The junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road, a busy route in the Greater Manchester area, was expected to remain closed for several hours.
The incident has raised questions about safety measures at the location, particularly given the bridge’s history of vehicle strikes. Previous incidents have prompted discussions about improved signage and height restriction barriers, though these appear to have been insufficient to prevent Monday’s collision.
Transport authorities and police have not yet commented on potential causes of the crash or whether any safety improvements will be considered for the notorious bridge location.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on the injured passengers and the emergency response to what witnesses described as a “serious” and shocking incident that left many feeling “a bit sick” at the scene.
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