National Express full statement after double-decker bus roof sheered off in crash

Nick Horner
·2-min read
A double-decker bus was turned into an open top one with its roof left under a bridge in Clayhanger Lane, Walsall, with a police car and fire engine also pictured
This dramatic photo shows the extent of the damage caused to a double-decker bus after its driver went under a four-metre bridge in Clayhanger Lane in Walsall -Credit:Sean Bowen


A bus company has provided an update after one it its vehicles crashed into a bridge in Walsall leading to the roof on the upper deck being sheered off. The crash took place in Clayhanger Lane shortly before 7am on Saturday (April 20).

Images show the top of the vehicle was taken off it, leaving more like an open top bus, after the collision with an overpass bridge, with McClean Way running above the road. West Midlands Police and then West Midlands Fire Services attended the incident.

But luckily the bus had no passengers on board at the time. The bus driver was said to have been uninjured but was given ‘welfare support’.

Read more: Bus has top deck ripped off in collision with bridge

A spokeswoman for National Express West Midlands said: “We can confirm one of our vehicles was involved in an incident on Clayhanger Lane, Walsall on Saturday morning (April 20). There were no passengers on board and our driver was uninjured. Emergency services attended the scene and we will continue to provide any assistance as needed.”

Clayhanger Lane was closed after the incident, with no traffic to or from the A4124 Pelsall Road. Walsall Council confirmed the road was reopened shortly before midday.

A double-decker bus has collided with a bridge in Clayhanger Lane in Walsall, with a fire engine pictured beside the bus, with the whole of the top deck taken off
A double-decker bus has collided with a bridge in Clayhanger Lane in Walsall with the whole of the top deck taken off -Credit:Jade Green

Earlier, West Midlands Fire Service confirmed it sent two crews from Aldridge and Bloxwich. A spokeswoman for West Midlands Fire Service said: “The call came in at 7.10am from the police to reports that a double-decker bus has been in collision with a four-metre concrete overpass bridge completely removing the upper deck of the bus.

“We isolated the vehicle, which had exposed wiring and there was debris across the road. No passengers were on the vehicle, just the driver. They have received wellbeing support from National Express West Midlands.

“The police and council were also in attendance. The bridge has been structurally assessed by an engineer and has been deemed safe. We left the scene at 8.15am.”

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A spokesman for West Midlands Police added: “We were called to Clayhanger Lane, Walsall, just before 7am on Saturday (April 20) morning. On arrival, officers found that a bus had collided with a bridge.

“Thankfully there were no injuries. The road remains closed as we assess the structure and begin recovery of the damaged vehicle.”

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