A woman is fighting for her life and another 11 were injured after a bus smashed into a bubble tea cafe in Manchester.
Piccadilly Gardens was cordoned off by police on Monday afternoon after a bus hit the T4 cafe in the City Tower building at around 1.15pm, with one worker in a neighbouring shop describing "everything shaking" during the crash.
Police said the bus driver, a 64-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 1pm today, officers responded to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus which collided with a shop in Piccadilly Gardens.
“Emergency services attended the scene, and it has been established that 12 people have been injured as a result with one woman in a life-threatening condition and receiving treatment at hospital. Others involved are believed to be in a stable condition with minor injuries.
Scene of the diamond bus which crashed into a bubble tea shop this afternoon— (PA)
Witnesses said multiple people were carried from the scene on stretchers, with an employee at the Turkish bakery next door telling the Manchester Evening News: “I was working at the till and just heard a big noise.
“I went outside and the bus had crashed into T4, the bubble tea shop next door. I think there were a few people injured, people outside the shop, pedestrians. I think the people inside T4 are OK. I’ve seen three or four people on stretchers.”
Firefighters arrived quickly on the scene to deal with the crisis after a bus smashed into a bubble tea cafe— (PA)
One onlooker, Mia Rose, shared on X: “One of the most horrible scenes I’ve witnessed, really praying everybody involved in the incident at Piccadilly gardens are okay and pull through my heart goes out to all involved.”
Next to the T4 cafe, a manager at Tutzys Central & Vape Central described hearing a huge sound when the collision happened.
“We thought it was an earthquake - everything was shaking,” the manager, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Independent.
Northwest Ambulance Service earlier said that a “number of casualties” were taken to hospital.
The area remains closed off as police investigate what hapenned— (PA)
Greater Manchester Police urged people to avoid the area after the crash.
Photos from the scene show the pavement cordoned off with the bus’s front end inside the bubble tea shop.
Ian Wood, spokesperson for T4 UK Franchise Ltd, said: “T4 UK has today been informed of the bus crash at our newly opened Manchester store.
“Firstly, we want to wish all of those involved in the crash a speedy recovery, we look forward to welcoming them to our store once fully recovered.
“We will remain closed until we are able to get the store back up on its feet. All staff members are okay although shaken up.”
