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Around 30 passengers hurt after bus overturns in Belfast

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Around 30 passengers hurt after bus overturns in Belfast Empty Around 30 passengers hurt after bus overturns in Belfast

Post by Mr007 Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:13 am

Ciaran Rogan of bus company Translink: ''The bus ended up on its side''

Around 30 people, including two children and a pregnant woman, have been injured after a double-decker bus overturned close to Central Station near Belfast city centre.

Some passengers were put on spinal boards, but none of the injuries are serious.

Five people received medical treatment at the scene.

It is understood that cutting equipment was used to free the badly injured driver from the bus.

Ciaran Rogan from bus company, Translink, said the accident happened around 14:15 BST.

"A double-decker bus travelling towards Belfast city centre mounted the kerb just outside Central Station and collapsed on its side," he said.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

We all went to the window because there was such a loud bang”

End Quote Eyewitness Neil Green

"The passengers to the best of our knowledge could be described as walking wounded. They have been taken to four hospitals in the city.

"The driver was a bit more seriously injured. He had to be cut from the cab and has been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital."

John McPoland from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said more than 20 of its personnel attended the scene and treated passengers for cuts, bruises and sprains.

Nine people were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, including the bus driver. Another 10 people attended the City Hopsital, while eight were taken to the Mater Hospital.

Two children were transported to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and a pregnant woman was brought to the maternity unit at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

Neil Green works in the Santander building opposite the station.

"We all went to look out of the window because there was such a loud bang," he said.

"The police cordoned off the area and we could not get out of the side alley to our building.

"Looking out of the window at it now, I can see that the emergency windows are open where people were evacuated. The front of the bus looks really badly mangled."
'Facts'

Health Minister Edwin Poots said the crash would have been a "very frightening incident" for everyone involved, and offered his supported to the injured.

Mr Rogan said it was too early to say if the accident had been caused by mechanical failure or human error.
overturned bus at central station belfast. The bus was travelling to Belfast city centre when the accident happened

"At the moment between our engineering staff and the police, who are taking the lead in terms of the investigation, all we know are the facts of the incident," he said.

"The bus mounted the kerb, hit a wall at the side of the pavement and fell onto its side.

"Beyond that we are not in a position to say what caused it."

He said an emergency plan was put into action as soon as the incident happened.

"It is very exceptional that you would have any incident like this," he said.

"I don't think there is anyone I have spoken to who can remember something like this happening before.

"The fact that it is so unusual means the investigation will have to be fairly rigorous and until we find out the results of that investigation, it's impossible to say exactly why it happened."

The bus has been removed for examination.

Rail services are continuing to operate as normal from Central Station.

The Albertbridge Road and East Bridge Street remain closed.

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