The driver of a double decker bus that crashed into a bridge and injured 20 people has been arrested.
Three people – a 19-year-old female, and two men, one is his 20s and another in his 40s – were left seriously injured after a Stagecoach bus collided with the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct in Salford on Monday.
They have been taken to hospital and remain in a stable condition, while a further 17 people were treated at the scene for non-life threatening or non-life changing injuries.
The shocking incident prompted a massive emergency response, with ten ambulances, specialist medics and an air ambulance deployed to the scene on Barton Lane at around 3pm.
Greater Manchester Police have now arrested the driver of the bus, a man in his 50s, on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He has since been bailed pending further investigations.
The driver had failed to comply with height restriction warnings, including hanging chains and signage, before colliding with the aqueduct, causing a passenger to be flung from the top deck, the force added.
Shocking footage of the impact shows the roof of the No.100 service being torn straight off as it attempted to pass under the bridge which stands at just 11ft 6 inches.
Distressed drivers were seen quickly slamming the brakes, as the large yellow bus left a trail of scattered glass and debris in its wake.
Seconds after the collision, witnesses and locals were seen running out of their houses and up the street in an attempt to catch up with the bus.
One witness told Manchester Evening News that they heard ‘screaming coming from the top of the bus’.
A local added: ‘I was shocked but not surprised as this is the third time this has happened. Another bus and a lorry have done it. You feel for the people on the bus.’
The bridge has become somewhat of an accident hotspot in recent times, with separate instances in June 2020 and December 2023 seeing the roofs of two double deckers severely damaged as drivers smashed into it.
A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) yesterday confirmed a formal investigation had been launched into why the bus was ‘off route’.
The bus typically departs from Shudehill and travels to Salford, Trafford Centre and Warrington, but TfGM said it was ‘not on its usual route at the time of the collision’.
Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone on board the bus.
‘Our absolute focus has been on supporting emergency services in their response, with some people treated at the scene and some taken to hospital.
‘An immediate and urgent investigation into the circumstances is underway and we are working closely with the investigation team at Greater Manchester Police and the bus operator, Stagecoach.
‘This is clearly a distressing situation for everyone involved and we’d like to thank emergency services for their swift response.’
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for information and witnesses following the crash.
They are also keen to speak to anyone who may have any footage, including dashcam, mobile phone or doorbell footage, from the area in the moments leading up to the collision.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting log number 2226 of 21/07/2025.
Alternatively, details can be shared on GMP’s LiveChat function on our website, www.gmp.police.uk or via the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.