'It looks bad' - Tram and bus in head-on crash in Manchester

The bus and the tram in a head on crash
-Credit: (Image: Tony Farrell/MEN)


A tram and a bus have been involved in a head on crash in Manchester city centre. Emergency services have rushed to Piccadilly Gardens - with an air ambulance also on the scene.

Pictures show the tram and bus have collided head-on outside Primark in the city centre. Police, paramedics and firefighters are also at the scene with firefighters working to cut into the front of the bus, the MEN reports.

One eyewitness said: “There were loads of sirens and then we heard the helicopter. It’s looks bad - like a head on crash between the bus and the tram. Firefighters look like they are cutting the front off the bus.”

A statement from North West Ambulance Service says: "We’re responding to an RTC at Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, following a 999 call at 2.13pm.

"Three ambulance crews, a consultant paramedic, a senior paramedic, a critical care team in an air ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team have all attended. Four patients are being treated, one with suspected serious injuries.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said:“At just after 2.40pm on Friday (October 18) three fire engines from Withington, Manchester Central and Wythenshawe fire stations plus the technical response unit from Leigh fire station attended a crash involving a bus and a tram on Mosley Street, Manchester.

“Firefighters, working alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and Metrolink, are using specialist cutting equipment to rescue one casualty from the bus. Crews were in attendance for around one and a half hours.”

Emergency service working on the bus
Emergency service working on the bus

Due to the incident, trams are currently unable to serve Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street and Shudehill stops.

The following service change is in place across the tram network:

  • Ashton-Under-Lyne - Piccadilly

  • Eccles - Crumpsall

  • Bury - Altrincham (via Exchange Square)

  • Manchester Airport - Victoria (via Exchange Square)

  • Altrincham - Cornbrook (Piccadilly services)

The following services are unaffected:

  • East Didsbury - Rochdale

  • Trafford Centre - Deansgate-Castlefield

Air ambulance at the scene
Air ambulance at the scene -Credit:Tony Farrell

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