Piccadilly Gardens crash: Passenger fighting for life as four injured in tram and bus head-on smash

Four people have been injured and one is in a serious condition following a head-on crash between a tram and a bus in Piccadilly Gardens, in the centre of Manchester

A person is fighting for their life and three others have also been injured in a head-on crash between a tram and a bus in Manchester city centre.

Emergency services have swarmed Piccadilly Gardens following the collision with images showing the front of both vehicles badly damaged. Police, fire and ambulance services were call to the scene shortly after 2pm today.

An air ambulance also landed on the grass area of the city centre square. And a spokesperson for the service said four people have been injured including one seriously. A statement from North West Ambulance Service says: "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.”

An eyewitness describing the scene said: “There were loads of sirens and then we heard the helicopter. It’s looks bad - like a head on crash between the bus and the tram. Firefighters look like they are cutting the front off the bus.”

Greater Manchester Fire Service said cutting equipment was needed to rescue one person trapped in the bus and there are chaotic scenes in the city centre during rush hour with a number of road closures in place, reported the Manchester Evening News.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has said: “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.”

Fran Wilkinson, TfGM’s Customer and Growth Director, said: “This is a serious incident which is currently ongoing. Our staff are continuing to support emergency services at the scene, while also assisting members of the public.

“Piccadilly Gardens will be closed for some time, and we are expecting bus and Metrolink services to be impacted throughout the afternoon and into the evening. If you are already in the city centre, or are planning a journey into the centre, please check our website or social channels for the latest advice before you travel.”