Passenger horror as bus roof ripped off (From The Northern Echo)

Passenger horror as bus roof ripped off

9:07am Monday 7th August 2006 in

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DAY-TRIPPERS escaped with their lives when the roof of their double-decker bus was sliced off beneath a railway bridge.

Three people, including a 13-year-old boy, were last night still in hospital. Another three were released after treatment.

Witnesses said passengers on the top deck screamed in terror as the bus crashed into the bridge.

There was a loud bang as glass shattered as the roof was torn off in the impact -inches above their heads.

One passenger, who was on the top deck, said: "It just went straight into the bridge - I ducked."

The Arriva X61, carrying 23 passengers, hit the bridge in Albert Road, Middlesbrough, just after 10.10am yesterday.

It had set off from Durham City and was picking up more passengers in Middlesbrough before carrying onto Scarborough.

"The roof was quite literally sliced off the top of the bus, inches from people's heads," said PC Alex Campbell, of Cleveland Police.

"Those injured were shocked and shaken by the impact of the crash."

The 54-year-old driver, who was shaken by the incident, was interviewed by police yesterday after it was confirmed the bus had strayed off its route.

Three Cleveland Police detectives, who were on a routine inquiry, were driving behind the bus when it hit the bridge, close to Middlesbrough railway station.

Detective Sergeant Ian Craig said: "It was quite surreal. We didn't expect it to happen, then suddenly the roof was completely peeled off and it fell just two or three metres in front of our car.

"There was an explosion of glass as the windows of the bus shattered and, as we stopped, we became aware there were figures on the top deck screaming."

Det Sgt Craig, along with Detective Constable Kellam Chaytor and Det Con Paul Mushens immediately began helping people off the bus and providing first aid.

"A lot were severely shocked and distressed," added Det Sgt Craig. "They were so shocked they were unaware they had been badly cut.

"None of the injuries we saw were life threatening, but some of the cuts were quite nasty."

Six people were taken to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, in three ambulances. All were upper-deck passengers.

The three detained were an 80-year-old woman, who suffered cuts to her right arm, and a 13-year-old boy and another woman, who both suffered cuts to the head.

The three people released after treatment were a 19-year-old man who suffered minor abrasions, a 15-year-old boy with minor cuts, and a 49-year-old man, who had a cut finger.

Sarah Hall, who works as a sales assistant in the WH Smiths store in the railway station, said she heard a bang.

"It was massive. Everyone just started running out. People thought it was a bomb.

"I went out and there was shattered glass all over. Lots of people were crowded round. Everyone was shouting and screaming. Everyone was just shocked."

One female train passenger said: "I got off the train, and as I came down the steps I saw a bus without its roof under the bridge.

"Lots of people were screaming."

The bridge, which straddles Albert Road, was closed to traffic but reopened just after 1pm. Trains were stopped for a while but were later allowed to cross the bridge at slow speed.

Arriva North-East operation director Iain McInroy said: "We can confirm the bus was off route. A full investigation is now taking place. The police are also investigating and we are helping them with their inquiries."

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the incident. Witnesses are asked to call (01642) 301558.

* If you were on the X61 when it hit the bridge, call The Northern Echo newsdesk on (01325) 505065.