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Dramatic video shows Manchester bus roof sheared off by low bridge

By Tom Housden

A double-decker bus smashed into a low bridge on the outskirts of Manchester on Monday, ripping off the vehicle’s roof and leaving 15 people injured, three seriously.

Doorbell camera footage showed the yellow Bee Network bus’s top deck being completely sheared off as it travelled under the low bridge in Eccles, about 10 kilometres west of Manchester city centre.

The North West Ambulance Service declared a major incident following the crash on Barton Lane about 3pm on Monday, UK time.

Ten ambulances, advanced paramedics and the North West Air Ambulance were dispatched to the scene, the ambulance service said.

The injured people were taken to Salford Royal and Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals.

An eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News: “I saw a woman waving paramedics to the scene. I came out, and I could see the bus roof on the floor.

“I knew people were injured, but I was just praying it wasn’t serious. But you’d imagine there would be a fair few people on the bus at that time.”

The bus was not on its usual route 100, which runs from Salford to Shudehill, the Evening News reported, citing Transport for Greater Manchester.

Google Street View imagery from March shows the approach to the 3.5-metre height-restricted bridge features warning signs and a gantry with chains designed to alert drivers of over-height vehicles.

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A social media post from local traffic police showed a similar bus crash at the same location in April 2023.

Stacey Morley, who lives next to the scene of the crash, told the BBC it was the “third or fourth time” she had seen a bus hit the bridge. Other witnesses said they saw people with head injuries, and that there were lots of children on the bus, the BBC reported.

The approach to the low bridge on Barton Lane in Eccles, Greater Manchester.

The approach to the low bridge on Barton Lane in Eccles, Greater Manchester.Credit: Google Street View

In a statement, Greater Manchester transport commissioner Vernon Everitt announced an “immediate and urgent investigation” involving police and the bus operator’s parent company, Stagecoach.

Everitt said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone on board the bus. Our absolute focus has been on supporting emergency services in their response, with some people treated at the scene and some taken to hospital.”

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Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/world/europe/dramatic-video-shows-manchester-bus-roof-sheared-off-by-low-bridge-20250722-p5mgvl.html