A bus mounted a pavement near Victoria Station in central London on Thursday morning, injuring several pedestrians. The route 24 bus driver was also among those hurt in the crash on Victoria Street.
Metropolitan Police confirmed there are currently no reported fatalities from the incident. No arrests have been made and an investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash.
Emergency response underway
Pictures from the scene show numerous emergency vehicles including police cars, ambulances and a fire engine responding to the incident. Victoria Street remains closed with all vehicles being diverted from the area.
A diesel spill running down Allington Street has prompted police to ban smoking in the area over safety concerns. Emergency services continue to work at the scene to manage the situation.
Eyewitness accounts
Emit Suker, 47, witnessed the crash and described the frightening scene to PA news agency. "It (the bus) was coming from Westminster - it was going really fast and came off the road," he said. "There were about 15, 16 people inside the bus. People were screaming - it was terrible."
Another eyewitness told PA news agency: "I heard a massive crash - came outside and there was a woman on the floor with loads of people around her. Lots of people from the gym had run out to help her."
Major emergency response
London Ambulance Service was called at 8:20am and deployed extensive resources to the scene. The response included ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, a paramedic in a fast response car, a clinical team manager, an incident response officer and a command support vehicle, plus London's Air Ambulance.
Rosie Trew, Transport for London's head of bus service delivery, expressed sympathy for those affected. "Our thoughts are with the people who have been injured following a bus incident at Victoria Street," she said. "We are working with the police and the operator, Transport UK, to urgently investigate this incident."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
