Bus driver arrested after double decker's roof torn off by passing under bridge as woman, 19, among 3 seriously injured
The horror smash yesterday, July 21, saw a 19-year-old woman, and two men raced to hospital after a double decker bus smashed into a low bridge.
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A total of fifteen people were rushed to hospital following the smash, shortly after 3pm, at a junction of Barton Lane and Trafford Road, Eccles.
One person was left in a critical condition by the major accident with Greater Manchester Police' Serious Collision Investigation Unit now launching an investigation into the bus crash.
Cops have appealed for any witnesses to the crash to come forward with any information.
The driver of the bus, a man in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and has since been bailed.
Harrowing footage of the smash was seen after it was captured on a nearby CCTV camera.
The number 100 bus, departing from Shudehill, was travelling to Salford, Trafford Centre and Warrington when it collided with a low bridge.
The roof of the double decker bus was torn clean off by the impact leaving more than a dozen passengers injured.
Passengers and bystanders were heard screaming in the wake of the horror.
Terrified passengers can be seen in video of the smash ducking in a desperate attempt to evade injury.
The bus was left seriously damaged as the low bridge scraped along the top deck and demolished the upper floor of the two storey vehicle.
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Following the horror, emergency crews, including an air ambulance, raced to the scene to treat the wounded.
Firefighters, ambulances and police responded to the dramatic scene with one witness saying they could tell something "serious" was happening.
The North Western Ambulance service declared a major incident after responding to the traumatic scene.
A Hazard Area Response Team, ten emergency ambulances and advanced paramedics were scrambled to assist.
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It was confirmed last night that the double decker bus was not on its usual route when it smashed into the rail bridge.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for information and witnesses following an RTC between a bus and bridge on Barton Lane in Salford which has left three people seriously injured.
"At around 3pm on Monday 21 July 2025, we were called to reports that a double decker bus had collided with the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Lane in Eccles.
"It is believed that the bus had come off its normal expected route.
"The driver fails to comply with height restriction warnings, including hanging chains and signage, and collides with a low-level aqueduct.
"As a result, the top level of the bus is torn off and causes a member of the public to be ejected from the top deck of the bus."
Yesterday, July 21, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, announced an "immediate and urgent investigation into the circumstances."
He said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone on board the bus.
"Our absolute focus has been on supporting emergency services in their response, with some people treated at the scene and some taken to hospital.
"An immediate and urgent investigation into the circumstances is underway and we are working closely with the investigation team at Greater Manchester Police and the bus operator, Stagecoach.
This is clearly a distressing situation for everyone involved and we'd like to thank emergency services for their swift response."
The investigation has so far turned up confirmation that the 100 bus was not on its usual route at the time of the collision.
A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson said last night: "We can confirm the bus was not on its usual route at the time of the collision on Barton Lane.
"The circumstances of the bus being off route are being formally investigated."
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