Eight injured, one critically, after double-decker bus strikes Glasgow railway bridge

A double-decker bus collided with a railway bridge in Glasgow city centre, resulting in injuries to eight individuals, with one person in critical condition. A section of the roof of the 4A First Bus was ripped off, leaving the vehicle lodged beneath the bridge at the intersection of Cook Street and Commerce Street. Following the crash, which occurred around 18:00 GMT on Saturday, five individuals were transported by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for medical attention, while the remaining three were evaluated at the site before proceeding to hospital. Spike Turner, a passenger seated three rows from the front of the bus, stated that the driver made an incorrect turn, leading to the bus crashing “straight into the bridge.” The road is designated as one-way, and the bridge, situated close to the O2 Academy, appears soon after a bend, despite being distinctly signposted for vehicles with a height of less than 3.8 metres (12.5 ft). Mr. Turner recounted: “I was fine, the lady in front of me might have been concussed. The bridge itself wasn’t high enough to hit anyone’s heads but parts of the bus exterior have swung down. “The man in the front seat was in a really, really bad state. He’s got a lot of blood and a massive gash on his head.” Several roads in the vicinity were temporarily closed but have since reopened following the removal of the bus. First Bus had previously acknowledged awareness of multiple injuries. A spokesperson for the company stated: “We have launched an immediate investigation and are also assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries.” ScotRail temporarily suspended several lines because of the incident, but services recommenced later that evening. In May of the previous year, ten individuals were hospitalized after a bus struck the identical railway bridge. Network Rail reported that a team had examined the bridge and determined it sustained no structural damage, though rail passengers endured “unnecessary delays.” A spokesperson commented: “The incident caused significant disruptions and cancellations to train services. Bridge strikes like this cost taxpayers millions of pounds each year and are entirely preventable. We urge drivers to always consider the height and size of their vehicles, including any loads they are carrying, and to carefully plan their routes to avoid incidents that put our infrastructure at risk.” Reporting was also contributed by Paul English. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.