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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Helena Vesty & Matthew Dresch

Mum 'traumatised' after toddler flung across bus as it smashed into side of gym

A mum is "traumatised" after her babies were "flung to the floor" when a bus crashed into a gym.

Shanice Birtles, from Westhoughton, near Bolton, said her son is still having nightmares following the smash at 6.40pm on Friday (June 10).

The 26-year-old's two children, Alfie and Ava, were travelling home on the bus with their aunt and grandmother when the crash happened.

Alfie, two, was left covered in bruises after the ordeal in Westhoughton, the Manchester Evening News reports.

One person was taken to hospital following the crash.

Footage on social media showed the bus speeding by a line of traffic before crashing into a car at a junction and then ploughing into the building.

Shanice Birtles said her family is 'shaken up' (Shanice Birtles)
Alfie, two, is 'having nightmares' after the ordeal (Shanice Birtles)

Shanice said she was among those who received a frightening call telling her that her two children, Alfie and four-month-old Ava, were on the bus at the time of the smash.

She said: "We're all shaken up, my two-year-old Alfie keeps having nightmares, he has bruises all over him.

"I got this terrifying call and was just told that 'the bus had crashed with my kids on it and that I needed to get down there now'.

"I didn't know what had happened so I got in a taxi straight away.

"I got out of the taxi and ran for my life, a stranger had hold of my daughter and Alfie was with his aunt and grandma.

"He'd fallen right down the bus and was on the floor before he was picked up by someone."

Alfie had bruises all over his legs after the crash (Shanice Birtles)

Her son had to be checked over by paramedics, but other people had more serious injuries, the mum added.

She said: "I'm taking him to the doctor on Monday to tell them what happened and make sure he's ok."

The family says they have been left "traumatised" by the experience, as Shanice added: "We're all traumatised. Myself because I got that phone call.

"The children traumatised because of the event itself. Their grandma hasn't stopped crying all day because of it.

Little Ava was also on the bus when it smashed into the gym (Shanice Birtles)

"I can't let my children out of my sight again. I feel like the luckiest mum in the world to still have my babies with me, someone was definitely looking down on them."

Stagecoach has been approached for a comment.

On the night itself, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 18:40 today (June 10), firefighters were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus, a car and a building.

"Two fire engines from Atherton and Hindley stations, and the technical response unit from Leigh quickly attended.

One person was rushed to hospital after the crash (Phil Taylor / SWNS)

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"Crews worked with colleagues from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and Greater Manchester Police to assess the area and make the scene safe.

"One casualty was conveyed to hospital by NWAS. Firefighters are currently still in attendance.”

A statement from Greater Manchester Police also said: "Officers attended alongside emergency services and are currently dealing with a bus that has collided into a nearby building.

"Road closures remain in place at Church Street at the junction with Market Street."

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