Five injured as car crashes into bus after driver suffers 'medical episode'

Five people were injured after a car crashed into a bus on a busy high street.

Police say the car driver suffered a medical episode behind the wheel shortly before the smash on Higher Market Street in Farnworth, Bolton at around 9.45am today. He was taken to hospital where he is described as a being in a 'serious' condition.

Four other people suffered minor injuries.

READ MORE: Driver suffers 'potentially life-threatening' injuries in crash after falling ill behind the wheel

Pictures from the scene show the 513 Bury bus with a smashed windscreen and damage to its front end. The road in Farnworth town centre was closed throughout the morning as police, firefighters and paramedics were on the scene.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "The male driver of a car had a medical episode while driving, causing his vehicle to collide with a bus. He has been taken to hospital and is in a serious condition.

"Four other people have suffered minor injuries. Higher Market Road has since reopened."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "At around 9.45am today, fire crews were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Higher Market Street, Farnworth. Two fire engines from Farnworth and the enhanced rescue unit from Leigh quickly attended the incident which involved two vehicles.

"Crews worked to make the vehicles and the area safe and worked alongside colleagues from North West Ambulance service to assess five people at the scene before three were conveyed to hospital. Crews remained in attendance for approximately thirty-five minutes."