Bus passenger in crash on A28 Canterbury Road near Sarre recalls the “traumatic experience”
An injured passenger has described the traumatic experience of seeing glass everywhere after the double-decker bus she was on collided with a car.
Eight people were taken to hospital[1] and one man is in a serious condition following the crash on the A28 Island Road, between Sarre and Upstreet,[2] at around 12.30pm yesterday (August 9).
Jessica Grant has described how a nice day out shopping with her mum turned into a trip to Ashford hospital.
The incident left her with concussion, bruises, a cut lip and swollen face, but she said she and her mum were “thankful” the injuries weren’t life-threatening.
Jessica said: “Yesterday was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.
“All I can remember is sitting at the top of the double-decker bus, going down the A28 on Island Road near Sarre.
“Next thing I remember is hearing a loud bang into both sides of the bus and then I see glass everywhere.”
Warning: graphic images below
Posting details of the incident on social media, she goes on to describe how everybody on board began to scream and cry, as a passenger who had escaped injury guided her off the bus.
“I called 999 as soon as I could while shaking as it was at this point I saw so many people covered in blood, glass everywhere and then I saw the bus itself,” she added.
Jessica remembers seeing a man stuck at the front of the bus and describes being in “a state of panic and stress” at seeing so many injured passengers.
However, she was able to tell the emergency services the location of the accident by using the What Three Words app, which gives a unique combination of three words to every 3m square, and helps to identify precise locations.
She said: “The only way they found our exact location was from using this app, which I’m lucky to have already known about.
“If you do not have it on your phone, I strongly encourage you to get it. I’ve had the app for three years and I have never needed it.
“But today showed you never know when something this bad can happen to you.”
Jessica then went on to thank the paramedics, doctors, police and fire crews for their efforts, calling them “heroes” as well as thanking the lorry drivers who gave out first aid kits.
She said: “Right now I’m feeling very sore and more bruised as well as weak, and still shocked, and to be honest quite traumatised from this all as I still don’t understand how this happened.
“I feel very upset for all the other passengers, especially the man air-lifted to hospital.
“His critical state will stay in my mind forever. I feel extremely lucky to be able to write this post and if anyone has an update on how the others are doing please let me know.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach confirmed it was a route 8 bus travelling towards Canterbury involved in the collision.
“Our first thoughts are for the wellbeing of all those involved,” they said.
The 8, 8A and 8X services were diverted via Herne and the A299 to the St-Nicolas-at-Wade roundabout as a result of the crash.
Three fire engines were sent although two were later stood down.
Anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to the police is urged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference XX/SS/087/24. You can also email [email protected].
The ambulance service and police have been contacted for an update.
References
- ^ Eight people were taken to hospital (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ Sarre and Upstreet, (www.kentonline.co.uk)