Eight injured as double-decker bus roof ripped off in Kilmarnock collision

A double-decker bus collided with a railway bridge in Kilmarnock, resulting in its roof being detached and eight individuals being transported to the hospital. Emergency responders were summoned to the scene of the impact on Macphail Drive, close to Culzean Crescent, in Kilmarnock around 14:00, with law enforcement subsequently cordoning off the vicinity. Social media footage from the site depicted individuals positioned on the upper level of the bus, now without its roof, adjacent to the bridge, which bears signage indicating a height restriction for vehicles. This incident occurred merely days following a separate event where another double-decker bus struck a railway bridge in Glasgow, an accident that left one man in critical condition in the hospital. A representative for the Scottish Ambulance Service verified that one ambulance and three rapid response units were deployed to the location at 13:55. Police Scotland subsequently confirmed that a total of eight individuals had been conveyed to the hospital, although no severe injuries were reported. A spokesperson for the police force stated that investigations into the collision were continuing. The Stagecoach bus, service number six, en route to Bellfield in Kilmarnock, proceeded beneath the bridge situated on Macphail Drive. The bus’s roof was entirely ripped away and stayed at the point of impact as the vehicle continued through the underpass. A nearby sign indicates that the bridge is unsuitable for vehicles exceeding 8ft 3ins (2.5m) in height. A teenager, who was a passenger on the bus’s upper deck, expressed that he remained in shock following the occurrence. He mentioned that approximately 11 teenagers were present on the top level. He informed BBC Scotland News: “We were supposed to take a right but the bus driver took a completely different route and went under the railway bridge, which we’re not supposed to do.” “The bus was going at some speed, about 30 or 40mph.” “The driver was hitting the brakes the whole way through and the whole roof of the bus got taken off. It just got crushed and glass went everywhere, I can feel the glass on me.” “People on the bus knew it was going to happen before it happened. It was really scary.” The young man stated he was not severely injured, but he experienced a sore neck and sustained scratches from the shattered glass. “I can’t explain the sound, it was like a massive crashing sound all the way through the bridge,” he added. “And then hearing all the glass falling and feeling it, it was horrible.” Joshua Hollywood, a resident living directly across from the bridge, reported that local inhabitants emerged to assist the bus passengers. He stated: “There was a couple of people injured, nothing too bad thank god. A few cuts and scrapes.” “The kids were pretty shook up but the ambulances got here pretty promptly.” “People from across the road, everyone that was in the area, all came out to try and help the kids that were in danger.” A representative for Stagecoach West Scotland verified that the bus had impacted a low bridge. They indicated that investigations were continuing and the bus operator was collaborating closely with law enforcement. The vehicle was subsequently taken away from the location. ScotRail confirmed that railway operations remained unaffected. Engineers from Network Rail examined the bridge; a spokesperson later declared that it had not suffered any structural harm. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.