11 February 2008

Roof Ripped From Bus Injures Six

One man has suffered serious head injuries and another five injured when a bus collided with a railway bridge in north London.

The double decker had been diverted to the Prince of Wales road due to a major fire in Camden market on Saturday.

The diverted route 24 bus was attempting to pass under an arched railway bridge at 9.00am when its roof was ripped back by the low part of the arching bridge.

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said: "The route is a recognised diversion route and drivers know to drive straight through the middle."

However, the bus is reported to kept in the left lane while driving under the bridge.

Rail workers were the first on the scene and managed to help many passengers off the bus.

TfL and the bus operator, London General, have launched an investigation into the crash.

A police spokesperson said one man suffered serious head injuries when the roof was pulled off the vehicle.

The bus, which serves Hampstead Heath and Pimlico, normally goes through Chalk Farm Road. Drivers have been asked to avoid the crash site.

(DW)