Eight people were injured in the horror incident where a double-decker bus collided with a railway bridge in Kilmarnock
Eight people were hospitalised after a bus smashed into a railway bridge shearing off the double-decker’s entire roof.
Shocked locals rushed to help and horror images from the scene show the top of the Stagecoach bus completely sheared off, lying in the middle of the road, while the roofless vehicle is seen on the other side of the bridge. People expressed their shock at the scene, with one witness describing hearing an “almighty bang” as the bus ploughed through the tunnel beneath the bridge.
All eight individuals were taken to hospital for treatment. Fortunately, Police Scotland has confirmed that there have been no reports of serious injuries following the collision in Kilmarnock at around 1.55pm yesterday. The road was closed for several hours and later reopened at 5.30pm, while inquiries into the crash continue.
Ronnie Smith, 51, a warehouse worker, told the Daily Record: “I walked under the bridge during my dog walk and we had just entered a nearby park when I heard an almighty bang. I quickly turned around and saw the bus crashing through the tunnel under the bridge.
“The whole roof was sliced off. We ran back across the road to see if anybody needed help. A few passengers were in shock. The neighbours began coming out to help and brought out towels for any injuries. Lots of onlookers then started to arrive in cars videoing the aftermath.
“I decided to leave with the dog. I walked home under the bridge and it was completely covered in metal and broken glass.”
A teenager told BBC Scotland: “We were supposed to take a right, but the bus driver took a completely different route and went under the railway bridge, which we’re not supposed to do.
“The bus was going at some speed, about 30 or 40mph.” He also said there were 11 teenagers on the top deck at the time.
He continued: “The driver was hitting the brakes the whole way through and the whole roof of the bus got taken off. It just got crushed and glass went everywhere, I can feel the glass on me.
“People on the bus knew it was going to happen before it happened. It was really scary.”
One local man said that people rushed to help. Joshua Hollywood said: “People from across the road, everyone that was in the area, all came out to try and help the kids that were in danger.”
Despite the incident, an inspection of the railway bridge into which the bus had crashed found no structural damage and train services could resume.
Police Scotland issued a statement confirming: “Officers were called to a crash involving a double decker bus on Culzean Crescent in Kilmarnock around 1.55pm on Thursday, 19 December, 2024. Eight passengers were taken to hospital.
“There are no reports of serious injuries. Inquiries are ongoing into the collision. The road reopened around 5.30pm.”
A representative for Stagecoach West Scotland said: “We can confirm there has been an incident involving one of our buses in Kilmarnock this afternoon.
“The 6 service, which runs from Kilmarnock Bus Station to New Farm Loch, struck a low bridge. We are aware of eight people who were injured and are currently being treated by emergency services. Investigations are ongoing and we are working closely with Police Scotland.”
