2 days ago
Veteran on moment car and bus crashes into garden hedge on 'horrific' junction
A VETERAN has spoken out about the moment a car and bus crashed into his garden hedge near a "horrific junction".
Vernon Rowberry, a Tolladine Road resident for over 40 years, said it was 'no surprise' that two cars and a First Bus crashed outside his home.
The 89-year-old was faced with what he claims was the latest of many crashes outside his home at 11pm on Saturday (August 9) which left seven people injured.
Vernon Rowberry outside where the car crashed into his bush. (Image: Newsquest) He said: "I have lived here for 40 years and have seen many crashes.
"It was about 11pm and I heard and all mighty bang - I thought it was a firework - and I went outside and saw people staggering off the bus.
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"People were falling all over the place.
"People had started to stand to get off the bus when it had hit the car.
"One car went through my hedge and hit my apple tree.
The crash between the First Bus and one of the cars outside Mr Rowberry's house. (Image: Vernon Rowberry) "I was going to make jam, but it's knocked most of them off."
Mr Vernon said he was on the scene to help provide water to those affected in the crash.
Five people were taken to various hospitals in the incident that saw police, fire and ambulance crews close the road.
CRASH: A First Bus was involved in a crash with two other cars on Tolladine Road (Image: Submitted) First Bus said it was not aware of any serious injuries to its driver or passengers.
It also confirmed it has launched an internal investigation into the crash.
A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident that took place on Saturday night on Tolladine Road involving a 35 bus on diversion.
"We are assisting the police with their enquiries and will be carrying out a full internal investigation."
SERIOUS: One of the cars involved in the crash on Tolladine Road was badly damaged (Image: Submitted) Councillor Karl Perks, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council said: 'We were saddened to hear about the recent incidents on Tolladine Road and our thoughts are with everyone affected.
"We have reviewed our accident data, which shows no reported casualty accidents at this junction over the past three years. At present, no highway changes are planned.
"We will carefully review the police report from Saturday's incident to understand if there are any highway-related factors, and will consider any appropriate measures based on the findings.
"Speed enforcement, including cameras, sits with the police.'
