Passenger on bus involved in crash describes chaotic scenes with smashed windows and passenger bloodied

'Everyone seemed really shocked'

A passenger on one of two buses involved in a crash at Middleton bus station has described the chaotic aftermath.

Two Bee Network buses were involved in a collision at the interchange at around 4.30pm on Thursday (April 24), leaving two people needing hospital treatment.

It's understood both buses were number 59 services, operated by Stagecoach, with one bound for Manchester city centre and the other for Oldham.

Witnesses reported seeing one of the buses reversing into the other. Multiple passengers reported being injured and 'shook up.'

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) confirmed that following the collision, two patients were taken to the hospital 'for further treatment.'

A woman who was on board the Manchester-bound bus told the Manchester Evening News that a baby was among the passengers, whilst a man was left with a 'bloody gash' on his head.

It comes as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which runs the Bee Network, vowed to look into how the incident was handled, after the woman alleged a driver swore at her and her friend.

"The bus crashed and shattered all the other buses' windows and everything. The driver on my bus came upstairs and told us all to get off" she said.

"Everyone seemed really shocked as to what just happened, including myself. People were saying they had hurt themselves."

"I witnessed a woman go to my driver saying 'My baby said she’s hurt her head, I don’t know what’s happened'" she continued.

She said they were all asked to get off the bus, where afterwards, she saw a 'a man sat outside on the phone with a bloody gash on his head.'

She then said that when she and a friend went to take a photograph of the aftermath of the crash, the driver of their bus said to them both: "F***k off will you?”

She said no staff 'offered any reassurance as to what was happening or what they were going to do about the situation' and that people were 'left to walk home without being asked if okay, whilst others were left waiting to be seen.'

Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Network Director for Highways, said: "On Thursday, April 24, a collision occurred involving two buses at Middleton Bus Station. This will clearly have been an upsetting incident for the passengers on board.

"Our thoughts are with them today, particularly those who were injured and supported by emergency services.

"Safety on the Bee Network is our number one priority, whether on board, or at a bus station or interchange.

"We are working closely with Stagecoach, the operator of both buses, to carry out a full and thorough investigation to understand the cause and handling of the collision."

Regarding the passengers' comments about the driver and her treatment, Mr Boulton said: "We are concerned to hear these comments from a passenger on board and expect the highest standards from Bee Network bus drivers at all times, including during stressful or trying situations.

“We will be looking into how this incident was handled as part of the investigation we will be carrying out with the operator.”

Stagecoach have been approached for comment.