A runaway bus has caused chaos after careering down a busy city centre street.

Onlookers watched in horror as the First bus raced down Renfield Street, crashing in to a car before hitting three other buses near West George Street this afternoon.

Three people have been taken to Glasgow's Royal Infirmary. It is understood they are not in a serious condition.

The bus driver is understood to have visited a bakery and newsagent after stopping the vehicle further up Renfield Street.

However First Bus bosses say it is "too early to speculate on the cause of the incident" but added: "We've launched an immediate investigation and will work closely with the emergency authorities to determine exactly what happened.

"Our thoughts at this time are with the two men who were injured as a result of the incident."

Ali Hafiz, who was manning the till at RF News, said the bus driver came into his shop to buy a drink - only to turn round and see his vehicle rolling away without him.



He said: "He was in my shop for a good two minutes before he realised he'd left the handbrake off.



"He had already been in Greggs, like a lot of bus drivers do when they stop here.



"He rushed out as soon as he realised his bus was moving slowly down the hill but still crashed into the Stagecoach bus."



One passerby, who did not want to be named, witnessed the incident and said: "I saw the bus going down the street, the driver was chasing after it.

"The bang was unbelievable. There was nobody on the bus, it hit a car and the driver was lying on the ground for about half an hour.

"It hit three other buses and stopped. God knows how or why this happened. People might have whiplash who were on the buses, I don't know if it hit anyone."

Traffic is being diverted away from the scene, and police and ambulance crews are in attendance.

Another onlooker said: "It was terrifying, the bus was out of control. I hope the driver of the car is okay. He's in an ambulance."

Police have appealed for information from the public and are reviewing CCTV to assess what happened.

A spokeswoman said: Around 3.45pm police received a report of a bus apparently travelling south on Renfield Street, having collided with a staionary car at traffic lights at West George Street.

"The car moved forwatd and struck a pedestrian on Renfield Street.

"The bus continued to travel on Renfield Street before it collided with a stationary bus near to St Vincent Street, which then nudged into another stationary bus on Renfield Street.

"Two men have been taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment to injuries.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident, including reviewing CCTV footage, and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101."