Double-decker bus crashes into bridge in Glasgow as pics show passengers ‘trapped’ on board
PASSENGERS have been left injured after a double-decker bus hit a railway bridge in Glasgow.
The First Bus crashed into the railway bridge at Cook Street at around 6.10pm causing ScotRail to close busy lines from Glasgow Central.
Pictures from the scene near to the O2 Academy show passengers appear to be trapped on board following the crash.
And one passenger described a man with blood pouring from his head.
Spike Turner, who was sitting near the front of the bus, told the BBC the driver had taken a wrong turn and crashed “straight into the bridge”.
He said: “I was fine, the lady in front of me might have been concussed. The bridge itself wasn’t high enough to hit anyone’s heads but parts of the bus exterior have swung down.
“The man in the front seat was in a really, really bad state. He’s got a lot of blood and a massive gash on his head.”
It’s understood other passengers were also injured but it’s not clear whether they have been seriously hurt.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they received a call about the crash at 6.10pm.
Dozens of firefighters are currently working with mercy crews as the road remains locked down.
Scottish Ambulance Service, cops and representatives from First Bus are currently on scene.
The streets around the crash were cordoned off.
One passenger who was on the bus was too distraught to comment.
He remained behind the cordon with emergency services.
A neighbour said: “We were standing outside when we heard a loud bang. A couple of minutes the street was swarming with police and ambulances. We saw a guy come from the scene with a burst nose and cut lip.
“A police officer said that someone had been trapped in the top of the bus.
“Someone else said that an elderly lady was taken away in an ambulance”
A resident who lives near to the crash site and visited the cordon said: “Buses don’t usually go this way. Where was it going to go? There could have been people on the top. Hopefully no one has been injured.
“The driver should have known that buses can’t go this way because the bridge is too low. There are multiple signs that high vehicles can’t go under this bridge.”
Pictures from the scene show the devastating impact of the crash with the front of the bus smashed in.
ScotRail were forced to cancel, delay or revise services between Ardrossan Harbour, Ayr, Largs, Gourock, Wemyss Bay and Paisley Canal and Glasgow Central.
The rail provider added: “Due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge between Glasgow Central and Cardonald all lines are closed.”
ScotRail passengers have shared on ScotRail how they are stuck on trains headed to Glasgow Central.
Police Scotland confirmed that a number of roads in Glasgow are closed following reports of the collision.
They have advised the public to avoid the area.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A number of roads in Glasgow are closed following a report of a bus crashing into a bridge on Cook Street around 5.55pm on Saturday, 14 December.
“Cook Street is closed at Centre Street, Commerce Street is closed until Wallace Street and Salkeld Street is closed to Cook street.
“Emergency services are in attendance and drivers are asked to avoid the area.”
In comes 18 months after ten were injured after a roof was ripped off of a bus during a crash at the same bridge.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: ““Rail passengers are facing unnecessary delays to services to and from Glasgow Central station after a double-decker bus collided with a railway bridge on Cook Street at around 18:00 on Saturday, 14 December.
“This incident has caused severe disruptions and cancellations to train services.
“Our teams are on-site inspecting the bridge and assessing its structure to confirm it is safe before train services can resume.
“Bridge strikes like this cost taxpayers millions of pounds each year and are entirely avoidable. We urge drivers to always be aware of the height and size of their vehicles, including any loads they are carrying, and to carefully plan their routes to prevent incidents that put our infrastructure at risk.”
First Bus have been approached for comment.