At least eight individuals are injured after double-decker bus crashes into Glasgow railway bridge – together with one in a ‘crucial situation’
Eight people have been injured and one is in critical condition after a double-decker bus crashed into a bridge in Glasgow, as emergency service lock down the streets near the city’s O2 Academy.
The 4A First Bus crashed into the railway bridge on Cook Street at its junction with Commerce Street just before 6pm on Saturday evening.
Five people were taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment, including one person who police described as being in a ‘critical condition’.
Three other people were assessed at the scene and attended hospital.
Passengers could be seen giving each other first aid before ambulance services and police arrived on the scene on Saturday evening, just yards from the M8.
Scotland Police confirmed the casualties had been taken to hospital and advised that they were still on the scene, with a number of roads in the area remaining closed.
‘Cook Street is closed at Centre Street, Commerce Street is closed until Wallace Street and Salkeld Street is closed at Cook Street’, police said in a statement.
‘Emergency services remain at the scene and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
‘Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances’.
Images show the front of the second floor of the bus has been severely impacted
The 4A First Bus crushed into the railway bridge on Cook Street at around 6.10pm on Saturday evening, with images from the scene appearing to show passengers trapped on board the bus
Police have confirmed they are at the scene alongside other emergency services
Scottish Fire and Rescue say they received a call about the crash just after 6pm on Saturday.
A spokesman for First Bus confirmed one of its buses on the 4Q route was ‘involved in a bridge strike incident’, and that an investigation has been launched.
‘We’re aware of numerous injuries, with one person being taken to hospital in an ambulance’, he said.
‘We have launched an immediate investigation and are also assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.’
One eyewitness who was on board the bus described the scene as ‘absolutely shocking’ adding that he feared for the life of one passenger, who was sat at the front of the bus.
Spike Turner, 26, from Victoria Road, Glasgow, said the victim was covered in blood and had gash on his head.
The sound engineer, who had been heading to the West End for a night out said: ‘I was sitting third in the bus and there was a lady in front of me who may have been concussed after the collision.
‘Parts of the bus interior was swinging down and I noticed the man at the front of the bus who was covered in blood and had a nasty gash to his head. I hope he is going to be okay.
‘I checked the people around me and they all seemed okay. I felt my face and had no blood or anything, so I’m okay’.
Scotland Police are at the scene and have advised the public to avoid the area
Images from the scene show there are people still on board as onlookers gather nearby
One person who was on board told the BBC the driver had crashed ‘straight into the bridge’ after taking a wrong turn down the one-way street.
ScotRail closed lines from Glasgow Central, with services between Ardrossan Harbour, Ayr, Largs, Gourock, Wemyss Bay and Paisley Canal and Glasgow Central cancelled, delayed or revised. They have since confirmed some lines are now running but that there are delays.
Last year, twelve people were sent to hospital after another double decker bus crashed into the same bridge.
The casualties were taken to three different hospitals, while others were treated at the scene. It is understood there were no life-threatening injuries.
The crash, which happened in May 2023, also involved a First Bus vehicle.
