Rochdale bus crash: Nine hurt in bridge crash Published duration 29 April

image copyright @CarlEHaslam image caption One of the injured passengers sustained a "significant leg injury", the ambulance service said

Nine bus passengers were injured when a double-decker crashed into a bridge.

The crash happened in Richard Street, Rochdale, at about 14:10 BST, according to Greater Manchester Police.

North West Ambulance Service said five people have been taken to hospital, one with "a significant leg injury". None of the injuries are life-threatening.

Richard Street and Station Road were temporarily closed as emergency services dealt with the crash.

Diamond Bus said in a statement it had "immediately launched a full internal investigation" into the smash involving its 471 Bolton to Rochdale service.

The operator added: "Everyone at Diamond Bus North West is shocked by this incident and our thoughts are with the injured passengers."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) station manager Carl Haslam said firefighters had worked alongside the ambulance service, adding: "This could have been a lot worse."

A GMFRS spokesman said crews from Rochdale and Ashton-under-Lyne helped rescue passengers and remove the bus from under the bridge.

image copyright @CarlEHaslam image caption The crash led to Richard Street and Station Road being temporarily closed

image caption Fire crews helped remove the bus from under the bridge

image caption Richard Street and Station Road have now reopened

Richard Street and Station Road have now reopened, Transport for Greater Manchester has said.

Seventeen people were injured in Rochdale in 2015 when a double-decker bus smashed into a bridge in nearby Milkstone Road.

Related Topics Rochdale