Week of horror on Greater Manchester’s roads as two killed after being hit by buses

It has been a week of horror on the roads of Greater Manchester as two people were killed after being hit by buses. A man and a woman have tragically lost their lives after two fatal crashes in the space of just four days in the region; at Piccadilly Gardens[1] and also on Stockport[2] Road (A6) in Longsight[3]. A schoolgirl was also hospitalised after being hit by a bus in Eccles with another woman suffering ‘major trauma related injuries’ after a collision between a car and a bus in Bolton.

The drivers involved in the fatal crashes were initially arrested by police and taken into custody, however both have since been bailed amid ongoing investigations into the two incidents.

Tragedy first struck at around 4.50pm last Thursday (October 12) on Stockport Road (A6) in Longsight. Police and paramedics raced to the scene after a man, aged in his 50s, was hit by a bus.[6]

A double decker with a smashed windscreen was pictured within the large cordon after the pedestrian had been knocked down. The man, who had been crossing the road at the time, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Police at the scene of the fatal bus crash in Longsight (Image: Sean Hansford / Manchester Evening News)

Police confirmed that the man, who has not yet been identified died on Tuesday[7] (October 17) – five days after the collision. A 58-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving, has since been released on bail.

A Stagecoach spokesperson previously said: “Our first priority and thoughts go out to the person affected by this incident, as well as their family and loved ones. “Safety is our absolute priority, and we will provide every support we can to assist the investigation into this incident.” Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information, or footage, to come forward.

GMP can be contacted on 0161 856 4742 quoting log 2527 of 12/10/2023. Days later, on Monday afternoon (October 16) ‘well loved’ 77-year-old Almena Amica died[8] after a Diamond bus ploughed into a bubble tea store[9] beside Piccadilly Gardens.

Almena Amica, 77, who died in the Piccadilly Gardens bus crash (Image: GMP)

Police cordoned off the busy bus station after the collision, which saw the bus crash into the glass front of the shop, causing excessive damage. Eleven others, both pedestrians and bus passengers, were either treated at the scene or in hospital for minor injuries following the collision.

The scene after a bus careered into a shop in Piccadilly Gardens (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Almena was rushed to hospital with serious injuries from the scene, however she later died in hospital.

In a tribute, her family said: “Mena was dedicated to her family, friends and faith. She loved music, gardening, TV soaps and nature. She was the senior member of our family, the eldest sister and great-great-aunt.

She was well-loved, our matriarch, and her presence will be hugely missed.” A 64-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been bailed.

A spokesperson for Diamond Bus North West said: “On October 16, 2023, one of our Diamond Bus North West vehicles was involved in a serious incident in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. Our priorities are the driver, passengers and pedestrians involved. “We are cooperating with the police and emergency services.

We do not have any further details we can share at this time.” Anyone who has not yet spoken to officers but believes they are able to assist with enquiries should call 0161 856 4741 quoting log 1673 of 16/10/2023. Members of the public can also upload photos and video to the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP23A68-PO1.

Further, non-fatal crashes involving buses have also happened this week. On Tuesday (October 17) emergency services blocked St George’s Road, close to Bolton town centre, after a crash between a double decker bus and an Audi.[10] The main road was cordoned off for a number of hours as fire crews worked to rescue a woman from inside the bus.

She was taken to hospital from the scene after suffering ‘major trauma related injuries’. Five others were also taken to hospital for treatment, NWAS said.

(Image: GMFRS)

In an update on Wednesday (October 18) Greater Manchester Police said her injuries were not considered life-changing or life-threatening[11]. No arrests have been made in connection with the crash.

Also on Tuesday evening, officers attended the scene of a further bus crash between a double decker bus and a small white minibus[12] in Walkden. Emergency services temporarily blocked Manchester Road (A6) beside the Walkden shopping centre. The bus was damaged at the front and also at the side doors, with the minibus appearing to have a smashed back window following the collision.

(Image: ABNM Photography)

And disaster struck again on Wednesday morning when a 12-year-old girl was hit by a bus on a main road in Salford[13].

The crash happened on Liverpool Road in Eccles, near the junction with Worsley Road, at around 8.30am, with police and paramedics called to the scene.

A stretch of the road was closed off with a cordon in place after the collision.

It was later confirmed that the schoolgirl sustained a minor neck injury.

References

1. ^ Piccadilly Gardens (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Stockport (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Longsight (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ Woman, 77, killed in bus crash at Piccadilly Gardens as family pay heartbreaking tribute (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Man dies after being hit by double decker bus (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ man, aged in his 50s, was hit by a bus. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
7. ^ died on Tuesday (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
8. ^ ‘well loved’ 77-year-old Almena Amica died (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
9. ^ ploughed into a bubble tea store (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
10. ^ after a crash between a double decker bus and an Audi. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
11. ^ said her injuries were not considered life-changing or life-threatening (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
12. ^ crash between a double decker bus and a small white minibus (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
13. ^ a 12-year-old girl was hit by a bus on a main road in Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)