On July 21, 2025, a significant incident occurred in Eccles, Salford, as a double-decker bus collided with a bridge, resulting in the roof being torn off the vehicle. This unsettling event transpired at approximately 3:00 PM BST on the busy intersection of Barton Road and Trafford Road. According to information provided by Greater Manchester Police, fifteen individuals sustained injuries in the incident, compelling immediate medical response.
The North West Ambulance Service promptly dispatched multiple units to the scene. A total of 15 individuals were treated for their injuries and subsequently transported to hospitals, including Salford Royal Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary. Witness accounts reveal that an air ambulance, in addition to ground ambulances, rushed to the site to assist with the situation. Emergency services mobilized quickly, with the first paramedics arriving within mere minutes of the incident, at around 3:10 PM. The ambulance service reported that they had deployed ten emergency ambulances and other specialized teams to manage the crisis effectively.
This particular bus, identified as operating the number 100 service, was actively transporting passengers at the time of the collision when it struck the low bridge. The incident raised immediate safety concerns, leading Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to confirm reports of the crash and the bus’s operational status during the time of the accident. TfGM stated that their primary focus was to provide support to the affected individuals and assist emergency responders during the chaotic scene.
Visual evidence from the crash site showed the bus with a severely damaged top, exposed to the elements. Images reflected a yellow bus, indicating the vehicle’s former condition, but now it bore the scars of this unprecedented accident. Paramedics and firefighters were seen working diligently at the site, managing the chaos and ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved. Roads in the vicinity of Barton Road and Trafford Road were closed as authorities worked to handle the aftermath, and police asked the public to avoid this area.
Interestingly, this bridge seems to have a contentious history, as it previously witnessed a similar crash in April 2023, where another bus had also lost its roof after colliding with the structure. Such recurring incidents raise questions about the safety measures in place regarding the clearance height of the bridge, as well as the operational protocols for public transport vehicles traversing such routes.
Community reaction is understandably one of concern and shock, with local residents and commuters expressing their anxiety over traveling in the area. There is a growing conversation about the need for enforcing stricter regulations on bus routes and ensuring adequate signage to prevent such accidents in the future. Local news reporters, including those from BBC News, such as Sarah Spina-Matthews and Rachael Lazaro, have been covering the unfolding developments, highlighting both the incident’s immediate effects and the broader implications on community safety.
As investigations into the accident continue, authorities are expected to review the circumstances that led to this disturbing event. Meanwhile, an appeal for witnesses or anyone else with information regarding the accident was made to aid in understanding what transpired leading to the bus’s collision with the bridge. Community engagement is encouraged to foster a dialogue on public safety and transport infrastructure, aiming for improvements that could prevent a recurrence of such alarming incidents.
