Passenger seriously injured after double decker bus crashes into bridge in Glasgow

A PASSENGER is fighting for his life after a double-decker bus crashed into a railway bridge in Glasgow.

The 4A First Bus service crashed into the railway bridge at Cook Street around 6:10 p.m. On Saturday, ScotRail closed busy lines from Glasgow Central.

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Photos taken near the O2 Academy showed passengers apparently trapped on board after the crash.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and one passenger was seriously injured.

A total of five people were taken to hospital, while three others were treated at the scene.

And a passenger described a man with blood pouring from his head.

Spike Turner, who was sitting near the front of the bus, told the BBC the driver took a wrong turn and crashed “directly into the bridge”.

He said: “I was fine, the lady in front of me could have had a concussion. The bridge itself wasn’t high enough to hit anyone’s head, but parts of the exterior of the bus overturned.

“The man in the front seat was in very, very bad condition. He had a lot of blood and a huge gash on his head.”

It is believed that other passengers were also injured, but it is not known whether they were seriously injured.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they received a call about the accident at 6.10pm.

Dozens of firefighters are currently working with rescue teams as the road remains closed.

Scottish Ambulance The department, cops and First Bus representatives are currently on scene.

The streets around the accident were cordoned off.

A passenger on the bus was too upset to comment.

He remained behind the cordon with the emergency services.

A neighbor said: “We were outside when we heard a loud bang. A few minutes later, the street was teeming with police and ambulances. We saw a guy arrive on scene with a busted nose and cut lip.

“A police officer said someone was trapped in the roof of the bus.

“Someone else said an elderly lady was taken away in an ambulance”

A resident who lives near the accident site and who visited the cordon said: “Buses don’t usually go through there. Where was he going to go? There could have been people at the top. Hopefully no one was hurt.

“The driver should have known that buses cannot go through there because the bridge is too low. There are many signs indicating that large vehicles cannot pass under this bridge.”

Footage from the scene shows the devastating impact of the crash, with the front of the bus crushed.

Road signs next to the bridge clearly indicate height and width restrictions for road use.

ScotRail has been forced to cancel, delay or revise services between Ardrossan Harbour, Ayr, Largs, Gourock, Wemyss Bay and Paisley Canal and Glasgow Central.

The rail provider added: “Due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge between Glasgow Central and Cardonald, all lines are closed.”

ScotRail passengers have shared on ScotRail how they are stuck on trains to Glasgow Central.

A Police Scotland statement on Saturday said: “Eight people have been injured in a crash in Glasgow.

“At around 5:55 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, we were called to reports that a bus had crashed into a railway bridge on Cook Street.

“Emergency services responded and five people were taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment. One person is described as being in critical condition.

“Three other people were assessed at the scene and hospitalized.

“Investigations are underway to establish all the circumstances.”

The road reopened shortly after midnight.

Arrived 18 months after ten people were injured after a roof was torn off of a bus during an accident on the same bridge.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “This incident has caused serious disruption and cancellations to train services.

“Bridge strikes like this cost taxpayers millions of pounds every year and are completely avoidable. We urge drivers to always be aware of the height and size of their vehicles, including the loads they are carrying, and to plan their routes carefully to avoid incidents putting our infrastructure at risk.

First Bus has been contacted for comment.

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