Diamond North West issues update after bus hits bridge and rips off roof

Nobody was injured after the roof of a double-decker bus was ripped off when it hit a bridge, the bus operator has confirmed in an update.

The dramatic smash happened on Barton Lane in Eccles last night (Monday). Pictures taken at the scene showed the entire roof ripped from the top of the Diamond North West bus, leaving the upper seats exposed.

The front of the bus was also left smashed after the crash under the bridge. In a statement issued this morning, a spokesperson for Diamond said that nobody was injured in the crash - including the driver.

READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community

The bus operator is now working with Greater Manchester Police. In full, the statement said: "We are aware of the incident that occurred last night on Barton Lane in Eccles where a Diamond Bus was involved in an incident with a Bridge.

"We are currently working with the police regarding the incident. Diamond Bus can confirm that nobody was injured in this incident. Diamond Bus have no further comments at this present time."

This afternoon, Barton Lane remained taped off by police near the bridge. It was cordoned off between Trafford Road and Redclyffe Road.

After the crash, one eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News said there were no passengers on board at the time. They added: "It was a low bridge that the bus tried to go under - but the bridge was too low and cut off the roof of the bus.

"It was around 9pm when the bus was approaching the bridge. I thought it was going to stop when they (the driver) realised the height restriction but it just carried on. Luckily there were no passengers on board.

"The bus drove all way under which peeled the top off with ease. Police responded and closed both sides,