TWO people have been injured after a bus crashed into a building in front of horrified shoppers today.
Shocking photos show the vehicle after it smashed into the City Tower high-rise close to the Piccadilly Gardens Metrolink stop in Manchester.
MEN MediaA bus has crashed into the City Tower building in Manchester[/caption]
MEN MediaMultiple fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene[/caption]
The single-decker crashed into a bubble tea shop called T4 at around 1pm.
The bus involved was an X50 Diamond Bus which runs between Piccadilly Gardens and the Trafford Centre.
Emergency crews have escorted at least one person into an ambulance on a stretcher.
White tents remain in place around the scene.
“There was glass smashed everywhere and the driver was still revving. Then all the police came,” a witness told the Manchester Evening News.
A man who works at the Turkish bakery next door said: “I was working at the till and just heard a big noise.
“I went outside and the bus had crashed into T4, the bubble tea shop next door.
“I think there were a few people injured, people outside the shop, pedestrians.
“I think the people inside T4 are OK. I’ve seen three or four people on stretchers.”
Another woman said she saw at least three people injured.
She added: “I had seen the driver quickly turning right, then I had heard the crash suddenly and people started to rush over.
“I could see people trying to help and the police arrived very quickly after and started to get all pedestrians away.”
Greater Manchester Police’s statement read: “At around 1pm today (Monday 16 October) police were called to reports of a collision involving a bus and a shop in Piccadilly Gardens.
“Police alongside colleagues in the Northwest Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue have been in attendance.
“There are road closures in the area whilst emergency services remain at the scene dealing with the collision and officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are in attendance.
“We would ask members of the public to avoid the area where possible whilst officers establish the full circumstances.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At 1:15pm today (Monday, October 16) two fire engines from Manchester Central and Salford fire stations as well as the technical response unit from Ashton fire station were called to an incident on Parker Street, Manchester City Centre.
“Crews remain in attendance.”
In a statement, Transport for Greater Manchester said: “Due to an ongoing police incident involving a bus, Piccadilly Gardens is currently closed to all bus services.
“All buses are using alternative stops in the city centre. Metrolink services will not stop at Piccadilly Gardens.”
MEN MediaWhite tents remain in place around the scene[/caption]
MEN MediaThe bus involved was an X50 Diamond Bus[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
