Man arrested after Carlisle coach crash leaves elderly man in hospital
An investigation into an incident where a coach crashed into Carlisle[1] railway station on November 30 is ongoing. It happened in the early evening on that date and a big emergency service presence remained well into the night. This included personnel from Cumbria Constabulary, Northwest Ambulance Service, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, as well as various Avanti West Coast staff members.
The crash left a man in his 70s with serious injuries and sent to hospital. It is currently unclear what the man’s condition is, as the British Transport Police said there was no update. Following this, a man in his 40s, from Cumbria, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving.
He has since been released on bail while the investigation continues. The coach was badly damaged at the front, with the front windscreen smashed and parts having fallen off and dented. Damaged coach at Carlisle railway station, Nov 30 (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)
Shortly after the crash, the main entrance to the station was closed, and travellers were directed to the station’s other entrance – known as Fish Arch – which is to the side of the main entrance. In addition to the man in his 70s being taken to hospital with serious injuries, two people were treated at the scene – but were not taken to hospital.[2] Train services were still running at the time with disruption kept to a minimum in terms of accessing and exiting the station itself.
Cars were able to access the car park and were initially asked to turn around if dropping off/picking up, but were then able to travel through barrier-marked routes. The coach was a rail replacement coach and is believed to have been one planned for a TransPennine Express service, and was at the time operated by Spencer Graham Coaches in Aspatria. Spencer Graham Coaches was approached for a comment, but they chose not to.
As of December 11, the main entrance remains closed, with travellers still being told to use the other entrance – which is not causing any delays to journey schedules.
It is unclear currently when the main entrance will reopen, but otherwise access to the station is relatively uninterrupted.
References
- ^ Carlisle (www.newsandstar.co.uk)
- ^ In addition to the man in his 70s being taken to hospital with serious injuries, two people were treated at the scene – but were not taken to hospital. (www.newsandstar.co.uk)