Latest news with #VernonEveritt
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Salford: Changes considered after bus crashes into bridge
Transport bosses are looking at changing routes and adding more warning signs after a double decker bus crashed into a vehicle's roof was torn off as it struck the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Lane in Eccles, Salford on Monday, with three people seriously injured and 17 others also Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester Vernon Everitt said passengers' safety was the Bee Network's "top priority" as he revealed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had asked him to produce an "urgent report" on the well as a police investigation, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched its own probe into the crash. A 19-year-old woman, and two men, one aged in his 20s and another in his 40s, sustained serious injuries and remain in hospital in a stable condition, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) driver, a man in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries. Everitt said TfGM is fully supporting GMP's investigation and all available CCTV from the bus has now been recovered by the operator, Stagecoach, and passed to the was working with Stagecoach, Salford City Council as the local highway authority and Peel, as the owner of the aqueduct, on its own probe into the collision, he includes why the 100 service bus was "not taking its usual route", a TFGM spokesman have also agreed several short-term measures to be implemented as soon as possible including new and additional warning measures – including further signage at and near the has also sought reassurances from bus operators, local authorities and others with responsibility for managing and maintaining low bridges about how they will mitigate measures to prevent further strikes. Everitt said it was looking at potentially re-routing services away from the Barton Lane said Burnham has asked him to look into the circumstances around the crash and make recommendations about wider implications for safety on the network."I have heard very clearly the concern from the local community that there have been many other collisions at this location over many years," the transport commissioner said he has also spoken to the head of a bus operator involved in a separate collision into a low bridge on Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath on Tuesday.A Metroline Manchester training bus was being driven by a trainee driver when it struck a bridge, but no passengers were onboard, and nobody was injured. Everitt said that incident would be thoroughly investigated, too, and form part of his said it was also helping to support those impacted by the "deeply distressing event"."Our commitment to safe operations is absolute. "Core to this will be the further development of a Bee Network safety standard, as part of our long-term Vision Zero strategy and plan to eliminate death and serious injuries on the city region's roads." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- BBC News
Investigation into why bus was off-route before Eccles bridge crash
An investigation is underway into how a bus that crashed and left 15 people injured was not taking its usual double-decker bus was travelling along Barton Lane in Eccles, Salford, at about 15:00 BST on Monday when its roof was torn off as it struck a canal bridge. Fifteen people were taken to hospital, including one who was critically injured. The road has since been reopened, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it has launched an "immediate and urgent" investigation into the circumstances of the crash, including why the 100 service bus was off-route. Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester Vernon Everitt said: "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 road was closed into Monday evening with diversions in place as authorities worked to move the damaged bus. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment double-decker bus smashes into bridge in Manchester - leaving one passenger fighting for their life and 14 others injured
Footage of a double decker bus having its roof stripped off when ploughing into a bridge shows the horrific impact of the crash which has hospitalised 15 people. Three of the 15 injured in the horror smash, which occurred in Greater Manchester yesterday at around 3pm, have sustained serious injuries, with one person said to be in a critical condition. The bus had been travelling towards the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles, Salford, when it ploughed into the bridge. However, the Transport Comissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, confirmed an 'immediate and urgent' probe had been launched after it came to light that the bus was not on its usual route at the time of the crash. Shocking footage of the impact shows the roof of the No.100 service being torn straight off as it attempted to pass under the bridge which stands at just 11ft 6 inches high. Distressed bypassers in their vehicles were seen quickly slamming the brakes, likely in disbelief at what they had just witnessed, as the large yellow bus left a trail of scattered glass and the roof in its wake. Locals and witnesses also ran out of their houses and up the street where the crash occurred in an attempt to catch up with the bus which ground to a halt after the disastrous incident. It prompted a massive emergency response in which ten ambulances, specialist medics and an air ambulance were deployed. All 15 injured were rushed to Salford Royal and Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals. One witness told Manchester Evening News that they heard 'screaming coming from the top of the bus'. A local added: 'I was shocked but not surprised as this is the third time this has happened. Another bus and a lorry have done it. You feel for the people on the bus.' The bridge has become somewhat of an accident hotspot in recent times, with separate instances in June 2020 and December 2023 seeing the roofs of two double deckers severely damaged as drivers smashed into it. A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) yesterday confirmed a formal investigation had been launched into why the bus was 'off route'. The bus typically departs from Shudehill and travels to Salford, Trafford Centre and Warrington, but TfGM said it was 'not on its usual route at the time of the collision' Mr Everitt added: '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 crash prompted such widespread concern that Northwest Ambulance Service declared a 'major incident' after being called to the scene. They said yesterday: 'The trust dispatched a number of resources, including ten emergency ambulances, advanced paramedics, our Hazard Area Response Team (HART) and colleagues from North West Air Ambulance. The first resource arrived on time at 15.10. 'NWAS treated 15 patients who were all taken to Salford Royal or Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals. 'At 16:22 NWAS stood down from major incident status but continues to remain on scene' Greater Manchester Police also said were on the site yesterday as part of the massive emergency response operation that descended on the scene.
