Eight injured as double-decker hits overhead walkway at hospital
● Eight injured after accident at Edinburgh’s Western General
Eight people were injured when a double-decker crashed into an overhead walkway at Edinburgh’s Western General, tearing the bus roof off. Emergency services were called to the scene at the hospital at about 3:30pm yesterday.
Eight people were injured after a double-decker bus smashed into an overhead walkway at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital.
Pictures show the roof of the 113 service almost entirely ripped off as a result of the collision, which happened yesterday afternoon just before 3:30pm.
Emergency services rushed to the scene though it is believed none of the injuries were serious.
Michael Heron, whose 14-year-old daughter was travelling on the bus with a friend, said it was lucky no-one had been killed.
He said: “It’s totally unbelievable.
“She was at the front on the top of the bus so it’s really lucky she came away with shock and covered in glass.
“Me and my wife had to get to her as soon as we could. When we got there and saw the bus my heart just sunk.
“She was speaking [on the phone] so we knew she was OK but as soon as we saw the bus it was terrible. I wanted to break down just there.”
Mr Heron, 37, praised the emergency services for their swift response and spoke of his relief that no-one appeared to have been too seriously injured.
He said: “It could have been worse, people could have died.”
Gilmerton resident Colin Main was a passenger on the bottom deck and came away with cuts to his hands. The 34-year-old said he felt “lucky” not to have suffered more serious injuries.
He said: “At first I thought it was a bomb because I thought it was a big explosion but when I got off the bus I realised he had hit the bridge.
“As soon as I got off the bus I was in shock, my hands were numb.”
An investigation is now under way into the cause of the accident.
John Kennedy, 47, who was visiting a relative in the hospital’s cancer ward at the time, said it appeared the driver had taken a wrong turn.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Threeapplianceswereimmediately mobilised to the scene by Operations Control alongside a heavy rescue unit.
“A total of eight casualties were transferred to the care of waiting ambulance crew.”
A spokesman for East Coast Buses said: “Our first concern is with everyone involved in this incident and our thoughts are with those injured and their families. It is too early to know the full circumstances of what happened. We are cooperating with the police.”