A couple has shared their harrowing experience after being jolted awake by a bus crash that left 17 people injured in Manchester. Harry Yearsley and his partner were fast asleep when the sound of two buses colliding on Rochdale Road disrupted their sleep. The incident occurred just after 8 am, prompting an air ambulance and emergency services to rush to the scene. As they ventured outside, they were met with a scene of chaos, with twisted metal, shattered glass, and debris scattered across the road.
Describing the moment they were awakened, Harry revealed, “We got woken up at about 8.20 am and we just heard a really loud bang. We came out because it’s literally right next to our house.” The couple witnessed a flurry of ambulances, police cars, and injured individuals being attended to. The sheer magnitude of the crash left them terrified, with Harry recalling, “We knew it was something bad because it was just a really loud bang that literally woke us up.”
Emergency services swiftly responded to the collision, with 13 of the injured individuals rushed to the hospital initially, a number later updated to 17 by the North West Ambulance Service. Dramatic images captured the aftermath, showing passengers in distress trying to escape the wreckage. One passenger had to be rescued from the upper deck of a bus by the fire and rescue service.
The Greater Manchester Police confirmed that there were no reports of serious injuries following the collision. The road closures put in place due to the incident were lifted just before midday, allowing recovery operators to clear the buses and debris from the road. Stephen Rhodes, TfGM’s Director of Bus, expressed, “This morning at around 8.30 am there was a collision involving two Bee Network buses in Manchester near the junction of Rochdale Road and Livesey Street.”
The community was left shaken by the event, with many residents expressing their shock at the scale of the crash. The recovery and clean-up process on the road was efficiently handled by emergency teams, ensuring the safety of all road users. Authorities, including the police and ambulance services, worked together seamlessly to manage the aftermath of the incident and provide necessary assistance to those affected.
The city of Manchester was temporarily disrupted by the collision, with transport services and road closures impacting the daily lives of residents. As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, the local community is reminded to exercise caution and stay updated on any developments related to the incident. The resilience and swift response of emergency services exemplified their dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of the public.