Warning over bus crash site
Dozens in hospital after crash on Expressway slip road
SEVENTEEN people remain in hospital after a bus crash in Glasgow.
Residents claim the sliproad where it happened is an accident blackspot and have called for the speed limit to be lowered.
The railings around that road have been taken out by cars on a regular basis
THE site where a bus crashed in Glasgow, leaving 29 people in hospital, has been branded an accident blackspot.
One man told how he had witnessed 12 crashes there in as many years and another called for speed limits to be lowered.
A major investigation has now been launched to determine what caused the bus to crash off the northbound sliproad from the Clyde Tunnel at 7pm on Sunday night.
The bus driver, an off-duty First Bus employee and another passenger are in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
The NHS board chief executive Jane Grant thanked all health workers who responded to the incident and those who came in on leave to offer support.
Emergency services were called to the scene around 7pm on Sunday and 29 people were taken to hospital for treatment.
A total of 17 remained in hospital for a variety of injuries today.
Meanwhile, one resident, who has lived in Scotstoun for 12 years, said he has seen as many as 12 accidents in that area.
Jim Maclaren said: “It’s a complete accident blackspot.
“Just a few weeks back I was heading into town and there was a Fiat 500 overturned.”
Police Scotland Divisional Road Policing Unit is leading an investigation into the cause of the crash, including studying CCTV from nearby.
The road was closed for a number of hours while detectives carried out inquiries at the scene before reopening it around 5.15am.
Investigators are appealing for anyone who was on the bus and left prior to the arrival of emergency services or anyone who witnesses the crash to come forward.
Inspector Darren Faulds,who is leading the investigation, said: “After officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to 28 passengers and the driver of the bus.
“The bus involved will be fully examined and officers are gathering and studying CCTV footage from the area to assist with their inquiry.”
Local residents have called for the stretch where the crash took place to be made safer for motorists after a string of accidents in recent years.
As previously reported by the Evening Times, another driver was taken to hospital after their car overturned and landed in a grass verge on the same road last week as recently as last week.
Victoria Park Councillor Feargal Dalton, said: “I live in the area so I knew something was not right because there was a lot of emergency services and then I happened to be gong to Lidl in Partick and I got caught up in the tailbacks.
“I have concerns [about the road]. The railings around that road have been taken out by cars on a regular basis.
“We had a lorry that came off, not at that exact same spot but on the slip going over to the Clyde Tunnel, and that railing has still not been fixed. If that had gone over it would have went right onto the expressway.
“My heart goes out to those involved and it’s for the proper channels to investigate what happened.
“From my point of view, there’s a debate about speed limits. If we were restricted to 20 miles an hour would we have these accidents? ”
A GCC spokeswoman said: “As there is an ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment however we will be assisting the police with inquiries.”
Andrew Jarvis, managing director for First Glasgow, added: “On behalf of everyone at First Glasgow we would like to wish everyone involved
in this incident a speedy recovery. An investigation between Police Scotland and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is now underway to establish the cause of the accident.
“The vehicle has now been recovered from the crash site and is under the control of Police Scotland pending investigation and we will continue to assist the authorities with any information and help they require regarding the incident.
“I would again like to pay tribute to the emergency services for their handling of this incident and the swift response. We had two members of staff on board, the driver and an off-duty driver making his way home.
“Unfortunately, both sustained serious injuries. The driver of the bus is, however, now in a serious, but stable condition. Both sustained broken bones, cuts and bruises and will remain hospitalised due to their injuries.
“Our thoughts remain with anyone injured in the accident and we hope for a speedy recovery. For anyone effected by this serious incident, a dedicated hotline is now set up to provide support, guidance and advice.”