17 injured after railway bridge rips roof off double-decker Top

Seventeen people have been injured – one seriously – after the roof off a double-decker bus was ripped off when it went under a railway bridge.


The number 17 bus was heading down Milkstone Road in Rochdale at just after midday today when the driver apparently misjudged the height of a railway bridge.

The resulting impact ripped the roof from the double-decker and injured 17 people, one seriously with a broken jaw. Eleven people have been taken to hospital.

‘I didn’t know it was that bad I just thought we had hit something,’ 18-year-old Daisy Murphy, a passenger on the bus, told the Manchester Evening News.

‘The glass smashed – I was in shock really.’ First Manchester buses, who run the service, said in a statement: ‘First in Manchester is currently responding to an incident involving one of our bus services in Rochdale today.

‘First’s emergency management procedures have been activated and staff are at the scene providing support to the emergency services.’

It is believed 50 or 60 people were on the bus.

Police statement: 'Lots of people in shock'

Inspector Stephen Clarke from GMP’s Rochdale Division said: “We are working closely with the emergency services to deal with all the passengers who have been involved in this incident and ensure they are all receiving the appropriate treatment.
“Clearly there are lots of people in shock but luckily no-one was trapped on the bus.
“Our investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing and we would encourage anyone with any information to get in touch.
“Obviously there will be traffic congestion in the area for the next few hours, and we would encourage all traffic to avoid the area where possible.”