14 injured as buses crash
AN investigation is underway after 14 people were injured when a double-decker bus from Stockport was involved in a crash with another bus in Manchester city centre.
Two people were taken to hospital but police reported no serious injuries.
The rush-hour smash in the city centre saw a Stagecoach 203 service from Stockport to Piccadilly Gardens apparently run into the back of another Stagecoach double-decker on Aytoun Street, near the new Holiday Inn hotel and Minshull Street Crown Court.
Those injured included both drivers.
Dramatic photographs revealed the extent of the damage caused.
The entire front windscreen of one of the buses was shattered, with the front end also damaged.
The back window of the double-decker hit from behind was also smashed.
Stagecoach said it would launch an internal investigation into the crash at 7.30am last Wednesday, which is also being investigated by Greater Manchester Police.
One passenger sitting on the top deck of the 203 said the driver was left badly shaken and covered in blood. Passengers, he said, screamed out after a series of sudden jolts.
The 33-year-old com- muter, who was on his way to work in Oldham, said: “If it had been an hour later there would have been more people on the buses and it would have been a lot worse.
“We pulled out of a lay-by on Aytoun Street when either the bus in front stopped at lights or just stopped, and our bus went into him.
“All I remember was changing the track of music on my mobile phone when the phone was thrown out of my hand. It all happened so quickly.
“People were screaming downstairs. I stayed upstairs and was just in shock. The driver looked in a right state and was really shaken up by it.”
Police, paramedics and firefighters boarded both services.
It’s understood the doors of one of the buses jammed shut after the crash and some passen- gers were trapped inside.
The fire service said 14 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, with North West Ambulance Service later confirming two were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Part of the busy junction was taped off for around three hours as investigations began and motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Stagecoach said in a statement: “Two of our vehicles were involved in a collision just before 8am in Manchester city centre.
“We understand that several people may have been injured in the incident and our first thoughts are for the welfare of all those involved.
“Safety is our absolute priority.
“We will be assisting police with their inquiries into the incident as well as carrying out our own investigation into the circumstances.”