Two people have been taken to hospital amid reports that a bus crashed into a shelter in Manchester. Emergency services rushed to the scene at the city's Piccadilly Gardens at around 9.30pm on Sunday.
A large cordon was put in place around the scene while emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the horrific incident. Eyewitnesses told the Manchester Evening News that they saw the vehicle mount a curb before crashing into people gathered at the bus stop.
One spoke of how they had to lift a pole from the bus stop off a woman who was involved in the incident. He said: "A lady was underneath the bus, and a pole from the bus stop, which myself and other bystanders have lifted off of the lady.
"I called the paramedics and gave a witness account to the police on their arrival of what happened. There was a crunch of the plastic from the bus stop, and then screaming."
Another said: "I just saw the bus suddenly mount the curb and crash into the bus stop. There were hundreds of people standing around trying to help. The police were here within minutes."
Pat Karney, Labour councillor for Harpurhey/Collyhurst, confirmed in a statement online that two people were seriously injured in the crash and were taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "GMP have confirmed to the Council what the MEN have been reporting. Two people sustained serious injuries and have been taken to MRI.
"Our thoughts are with them for a speedy recovery. We can only imagine the shock and trauma they endured in this rare and mysterious accident."
A statement from Greater Manchester Police issued at the time of the incident read: "We're currently in attendance at Piccadilly Gardens after being called to a report of a road traffic collision involving a bus and pedestrians just before 9.30pm tonight. Emergency services are in attendance and two pedestrians are currently being treated at the scene.
"Motorists and those nearby are asked to avoid the area whilst officers and emergency responders remain at the scene." A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At 9.30pm this evening (10 July) firefighters were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus on Portland Street, near Piccadilly Gardens, in Manchester.
"Fire crews from Manchester Central and Moss Side fire stations, as well as the Technical Response Unit from Ashton, used specialist rescue equipment to help extricate a casualty who was then conveyed to hospital via our colleagues at North West Ambulance Service. GMFRS were at the scene for just over an hour.”
