Manchester bus crash: 'Scared' witnesses say they'd 'never seen anything like it' amid horror smash

A witness revealed the shocking momoent two buses crash outside where he lives in Manchester earlier today. The incident tiggered a major response from emergency services

A shocked witness has spoken of the scary moment a two buses crashed in Manchester earlier today, leaving 17 people inured.

Rob Elmer, 31, lives opposite the scene of the crash in Rochdale Road and had just looked out of the window when the incident occurred at 8:34am today. "I looked out the window and it had just happened," Mr Elmer recalled to the Manchester Evening News.

"Other cars had stopped and some police cars were starting to arrive. They got here really quick and closed the road off quickly. There were at least six or seven ambulances. And a couple of fire engines turned up as well. It was hard to work out exactly what was going on from where we are.” A total of 17 people needed hospital treatment following the crash between two double-decker buses near the junction of Rochdale Road and Livesey Street, north of the city centre.

Nine ambulances, an air ambulance, two response vehicles, an advanced paramedic and an operational commander attended the scene, the service said. No one suffered serious injuries, but 17 passengers were taken to hospitals across Manchester, including seven on a bus accompanied by a paramedic.

Mr Elmer added that he thought someone at the “front of the back of the bus” had injured their leg and also suspected some sustained back injuries. Photos posted on social media showed extensive damage to the front of one of the buses.

“There were so many emergency service vehicles,” Mr Elmer added. “Then when the air ambulance landed we thought there must be life-threatening injuries. It was very worrying. Thankfully that wasn't needed."

One of Mr Elmer’s neighbours, who did not wish to be named, said: "I looked out and I saw the helicopter. There were so many blue lights it was like Blackpool. It was really scary. I'm just relieved no one's been seriously hurt, But I think it's really shaken everyone up, particularly everyone that was on those buses."

Another said: "I knew something wasn't right so I looked out, and there must have been at least 12 or 13 ambulances, I have never seen anything like it."

A spokesperson from North West Ambulance Service added: “Nine ambulances, an air ambulance, two response vehicles, an advanced paramedic, and an operational commander attended the scene following reports of a bus crash on Rochdale Road, Manchester, at 08.34. 17 patients were taken to hospitals across Manchester, including seven on a bus accompanied by a paramedic. No one suffered serious injuries.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) added: “At around 8.45am this morning (Saturday 9 November), two fire engines from Phillips Park and Broughton fire stations were called to a crash involving two buses on Rochdale Road, Manchester. Crews arrived quickly and worked with Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service to make the area safe.

"Firefighters extricated one person from the upper deck of the bus and 13 casualties were transferred to North Manchester General Hospital under the care of North West Ambulance Service. Fire crews were in attendance for just over an hour."