'I thought it was a bomb': City centre brought to a standstill as four injured in head-on crash between tram and bus

As the rain poured down on Manchester city centre, crowds of people huddled behind a line of police tape. Many held out their phones as they filmed the chaotic scene before them.

A head-on crash between a tram and bus brought the heart of the city to a standstill this afternoon (Friday). Those who were in and around Piccadilly Gardens at the time of the smash recalled hearing a 'loud bang' before mayhem broke out.

“I thought it was a bomb so I started running," said Ibrahim Yousif. "Everyone was crowded round the bus and the tram.

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"People were getting off the tram. Five minutes later, the police came and started taping off the road."

Police, paramedics, firefighters and an air ambulance descended on the scene, outside Betfred at the top of Mosley Street, shortly before 2.15pm. An air ambulance was spotted landing on the grass in nearby Piccadilly Gardens.

One eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News: “There were loads of sirens and then we heard the helicopter. It looks bad - like a head on crash between the bus and the tram. Firefighters look like they are cutting the front off the bus.”

Meanwhile, workers at shops in the area said they saw a forensic tent being put up inside the cordon.

Four people were injured in the crash, including one with suspected serious injuries, according to North West Ambulance Service. Firefighters cut one person free from the Stagecoach bus.

Mosley Street, a main thoroughfare through town connecting St Peter's Square to Piccadilly Gardens, was closed in both directions. The incident caused severe disruption to public transport across the city centre, with buses and trams unable to pass through Piccadilly Gardens.

Both the bus and tram sustained significant damage in the crash. The sight of the mangled vehicles came as a shock to commuters and tourists attempting to make their way through the city centre.

Coun Pat Karney, who represents the Harpurhey ward on Manchester City Council, called for "a full inquiry" into the circumstances of the crash.

"We need a full inquiry into how this could happen," he said. "Serious injuries and serious disruption of the city centre.

"Still can't figure out what caused it. Hope all recover from this trauma."

A statement from North West Ambulance Service said: "We’re responding to an RTC at Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, following a 999 call at 2.13pm.

"Three ambulance crews, a consultant paramedic, a senior paramedic, a critical care team in an air ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team have all attended. Four patients are being treated, one with suspected serious injuries.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) added: “At just after 2.40pm on Friday (October 18) three fire engines from Withington, Manchester Central and Wythenshawe fire stations plus the technical response unit from Leigh fire station attended a crash involving a bus and a tram on Mosley Street, Manchester.

“Firefighters, working alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and Metrolink, are using specialist cutting equipment to rescue one casualty from the bus. Crews were in attendance for around one and a half hours.”

The cordon was removed shortly after 6.20pm. Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.