Road closed in Walsall as top of bus ripped off in collision with bridge

A road has closed in the Black Country after the top of a bus was ripped off in a collision with a bridge. The incident took place in Clayhanger Lane in the Clayhanger area of Walsall around 7am on Saturday (April 20).

A double-decker bus went under a four-metre bridge which carries McClean Way above. The whole top deck was ripped off. Emergency crews were called to the scene.

The bus was said to have only had the bus driver on board and no passengers. They have received ‘wellbeing support’ but are not believed to be injured.

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Two fire engines from Aldridge and Bloxwich attended the incident. 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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Walsall Council has said: “Clayhanger Lane is temporarily closed due to an accident near the bridge.” There is no access to or from the A4124 Pelsall Road.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “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.”