15 people have been hospitalised and the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) declared a "major incident" after a double decker bus crashed into a bridge in Manchester.
An 'urgent' investigation has been launched after the shocking crash on the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road, in Eccles.
One person was critically injured and two others seriously hurt, according to local media reports.
Photos shared on social media showed the yellow bus with its roof torn off and emergency workers on the upper deck responding to the crash.
On X, Greater Manchester Police wrote: "We are currently responding to a collision between a bus and a bridge at the junction of Barton Road and Trafford Road in Eccles.
@SkyNewsBreak bus with passenger on hits low bridge in eccles manchester multiple injuries Trafford road eccle pic.twitter.com/dxkPPGhiUT— Andrew Austin (@Andrew20times) July 21, 2025
"Emergency services are currently on scene as part of the ongoing work."Please avoid the area as road closures are currently in place."
The bus apparently crashed into a low bridge as it tried to pass underneath it, with its roof coming off as a result.
Greater Manchester transport commissioner Vernon Everitt said an "immediate and urgent investigation into the circumstances" is underway.
The probe will see Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) working with Greater Manchester Police and Stagecoach to determine the details of the crash.
Mr Everitt said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone on board the bus. Our absolute focus has been on supporting emergency services in their response, with some people treated at the scene and some taken to hospital.
Manchester bus driver rips whole top half off causing mass casualties 😢 pic.twitter.com/mGuzY03AvA— DJE MEDIA (@DJEMEDIA_) July 21, 2025
"An immediate and urgent investigation into the circumstances is underway and we are working closely with the investigation team at Greater Manchester Police and the bus operator, Stagecoach.
“This is clearly a distressing situation for everyone involved and we’d like to thank emergency services for their swift response.”
15 people had been taken to hospital as the NWAS declared a 'major incident', but it has now "stood down" the status.
An NWAS statement said: "The trust dispatched a number of resources, including ten emergency ambulances, advanced paramedics, our Hazard Area Response Team (HART) and colleagues from North West Air Ambulance. The first resource arrived on time at 15.10.
"NWAS treated 15 patients who were all taken to Salford Royal or Manchester Royal Infirmary hospitals."
A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said: “Shortly after 3.10pm we received reports of a double-decker bus colliding with a bridge on Barton Road in Eccles.
"The bus was a 100 service and in operation at the time of the collision.
"Emergency services are at the scene, with reports of several injured passengers. Our absolute priority right now is supporting the emergency response and the people who were on board.”
The crash occurred at a location that doesn't seem to be part of Manchester's Bee Network route map.