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A terrifying incident unfolded yesterday afternoon in Eccles, Manchester, when a double-decker bus had its entire upper deck roof violently torn off after crashing into a low bridge. The collision, which occurred around 3:00 PM at the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road, left at least 15 people injured and prompted emergency services to declare a major incident. Thousands of British Bangladeshi lived nearby.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed their rapid response to the scene following reports of the severe collision. The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), receiving the call simultaneously, swiftly escalated the situation to a major incident due to the scale of potential casualties.
A significant contingent of emergency personnel descended upon the scene, including ten emergency ambulances, advanced paramedics, the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and colleagues from the North West Air Ambulance. Paramedics immediately set about treating the injured at the roadside, before transporting a number of patients to Salford Royal Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary for further medical attention. The precise nature and severity of all injuries have not yet been fully disclosed, but initial reports indicated a range from minor cuts to more serious trauma consistent with such a high-impact collision.
NWAS later confirmed that the major incident status was stood down at approximately 4:22 PM, though their crews remained on site for an extended period to ensure all casualties were accounted for and the scene was safe.
Footage circulated on social media vividly depicted the aftermath, showing the distinctive yellow double-decker bus – identified as a Stagecoach 100 service – with its entire roof missing, exposing the interior of the upper deck to the elements. The bridge it struck was clearly signposted with a 3.5-meter height limit, raising immediate questions about the circumstances leading to the crash.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, expressed profound concern for those affected. "First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone on board the bus," he stated. "Our absolute focus has been on supporting emergency services in their response, with some people treated at the scene and some taken to hospital." Mr. Everitt emphasized that "an immediate and urgent investigation into the circumstances is underway," confirming close cooperation between GMP, the dedicated investigation team, and the bus operator, Stagecoach. He also extended gratitude to the emergency services for their rapid and professional response to what he described as a "distressing situation."
The incident led to extensive road closures around the Barton Road and Trafford Road junction, causing significant local congestion throughout yesterday evening and into the early hours of this morning. To mitigate the travel disruption, Transport for Greater Manchester announced that bus tickets would be temporarily accepted on the Eccles and Trafford Park Metrolink lines, providing an essential alternative for commuters.
As of Tuesday morning, the damaged bus has been successfully removed from the scene. GMP officers and transport investigators remain on site, continuing their forensic examination of the area to determine the exact cause of the collision. While some road closures may have eased, motorists are still advised to check for potential localized diversions and allow extra time for journeys in the Eccles area as the investigation progresses.
This unfortunate event marks a disturbing precedent, with authorities noting a similar incident in April 2023 when another double-decker bus crashed into the same bridge on Eccles Lane, prompting calls for a thorough review of route planning and signage in the vicinity. Further updates on the investigation and the condition of the injured passengers are expected in the coming hours.
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