Emergency services were called to south London last night, December 14, after a double-decker bus collided with a railway bridge.
The Met Police said officers were dispatched to the scene in South Norwood following reports at around 10.55pm of a collision which ripped off much of the bus’s roof.
Eyewitnesses described hearing an explosion-like sound as the roof of the bus collided with an overhead structure.
Social media user Equinox95 claimed: “I was immediately behind the bus when it happened. I gave the driver room to come out from the side road, thinking he was going to turn right. I heard what sounded like an explosion and watched the roof being ripped off the bus… Crazy.”
Pictures from the scene on Portland Road show a cordon in place with emergency workers at work on the wreckage.
The incident has sparked concern among residents about road safety in South Norwood. Social media users expressed shock and relief that the accident did not result in more severe injuries.
One local posted: “This could have been so much worse. Hoping the injured woman recovers quickly.”
Investigations are continuing to establish how the event unfolded, with the Met Police confirming that no arrests were made in connection with the incident.
Bus routes are designed carefully to ensure that buses operate on routes where overhead structures such as bridges are not too low to pose a danger.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called on Saturday 15th December at 10.55pm to reports of a traffic collision in Portland Road, South Norwood.
“We sent ambulance crews, paramedics in response cars and an incident response officer.
“We took two people to hospital and discharged a further two patients at the scene, while another three people declined treatment.”
Transport for London have been contacted for comment.
