The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Seven hurt after bus smashes into bridge
Stagecoach vehicle ends up on its side after coming off the road
SEVEN people were being treated in hospital last night after a bus struck a bridge on a Highland road.
The Stagecoach service was carrying multiple passengers when it left the road and came to rest on its side near Munlochy on the Black Isle. One person was left trapped and it took specialist teams some time to cut them free from the wreckage.
The incident occurred during rush hour traffic with police, fire, several ambulances and a trauma team all swiftly at the scene, on the B9161.
The full extent of the injuries suffered by the casualties was not known last night but at least one person is believed to have been seriously hurt. A number of additional patients received care at the roadside.
A spokesman for Stagecoach confirmed there had been “a serious road accident” involving one of its services operating between Inverness and Cromarty. “Our first thoughts are for those affected and their families,” he said. “We are supporting the police and the emergency services in any way we can.”
A bus filled with passengers crashed onto its side on the Black Isle last night after it struck a bridge.
The Stagecoach service left the road near Munlochy at around 5.45pm, leaving at least one occupant trapped.
The incident sparked a huge emergency response, with police, fire, a heavy rescue unit, several ambulances and a trauma team all attending.
Multiple casualties were treated at the roadside by paramedics, while seven people were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
One person was left trapped in the stricken vehicle and had to be cut free by firefighters using specialist equipment.
The extent of the injuries sustained is unknown but last night at least one person was understood to have been seriously hurt.
The incident took place during rush hour a short distance south-east of Munlochy on the B9161, at the Littlemill Bridge.
Police closed the road for some hours as numerous emergency service units worked at the scene, with a diversion put in place at Tore.
An ambulance spokeswoman said last night: “We received a call at 5.46pm to attend a road traffic collision.
“O u r s p e c i a l i s t operations crew, seven ambulances and the trauma team all attended.
“Our teams delivered care to a number of patients on scene and a further seven were taken to Raigmore Hospital.”
Stagecoach North Scotland confirmed the incident had involved one of its buses.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm there has been a serious road accident on the Black Isle in the Munlochy area involving one of our services operating between Inverness and Cromarty.
“Our first thoughts are for those affected and their families.”
Police have appealed for information and asked for any potential witnesses to come forward.
A spokesman said: “Any concerned relatives seeking more information or members of the public who witnessed the accident are asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”