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A bus smashed into the Guide Dogs for the Blind building in Peterborough after colliding with a car, injuring at least 13 people.

The crash took place just before midday on Broadway, with police closing off the road.

Seven people have been rushed to Peterborough Hospital.

Those injured include a female car driver aged in her 50s, a female car passenger and four female and one male bus passengers.

A man and a woman were taken to the minor injuries unit and four were discharged at the scene.

John Peach, a local councillor, confirmed on Twitter there had been a "big rescue operation" at the scene which is ongoing.

An air ambulance was at the scene, along with five ambulance crews, a rapid response vehicle, two fire engines and a rescue vehicle.

One eyewitness claimed that the building, which is now littered with rubble outside, was being “held up” by the bus.

(Image: Twitter)

Kate Clark, who works in the Guide Dogs for the Blind office posted on the Peterborough Telegraph Facebook page: “Unfortunately straight into reception! All staff out of the area at the time, shaken but fine.

"Very lucky considering the tea making area has been recently relocated to exact spot where the bus hit, and no one working upstairs.”

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire fire and rescue services said crews had struggled to get people off the bus, which is run by Stagecoach.

The statement read: "We were called at 11.42.

(Image: camsbfrs)

"Two crews were sent down as well as a rescue vehicle. An air ambulance and police are still at the scene.

"The accident was caused by a bus crashing into a building. A car was also involved. There are at least two casualties.

"Two casualties have been extracted from the car."

Cambridgeshire Police said: "Police are asking people to please avoid the Broadway area of Peterborough city centre this lunchtime.

"The road has been cordoned off between Church Walk and Broadway near to the theatre.

(Image: cambsfrs)

"There was a collision between a bus and a car there at 11.43am this morning.

"The single decker bus also collided with a building.

"Police, fire crews, ambulance and air ambulance are on the scene."

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "Two patients have gone to a nearby minor injuries unit, and four have been assessed but do not need any further treatment.

"Still no confirmation of precise injuries sustained or gender of patients but we will endeavour to update this.

"We received a call today to reports of an RTC involving a bus in Broadway, Peterborough. We have dispatched five ambulance crews, a rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officers, and the Magpas air ambulance. In total we are treating 13 patients – none appear to be in a critical condition."

An eyewitness told Sky News: "I'm walking into the city I just heard a bang. A black was car driving towards the town, also a bus couldn't drive straight, it crashed into a black car gone straight into a building. There were two people in the black car as well. It was a nightmare.

"The bus hit the building on the driver's side and stuck in the building. It was raining, all the road was wet, it was quite slippery on the road."

Another eyewitness said the accident was caused when a car pulled out a side street and hit the bus, sending it into the building.

A Stagecoach spokesman said: "A car was involved in a collision with one of our buses on Broadway, Peterborough.

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"Initial reports suggest that the collision has resulted in the bus being pushed into a building. Our first thoughts are for the welfare of those involved in the incident.

"Safety is our highest priority and we will assist police fully with their inquiries into this incident."

Local MP Stewart Jackson said no one was seriously injured in the crash.

He tweeted: "Thankfully it appears no one is seriously hurt in Broadway bus crash in Peterborough. Well done CambsCops & cambsfrs now psh_nhstrust."

In a statement, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue service's Station Commander Jamie Johnson said: "The emergency services have worked extremely well together to successfully rescue and treat casualties.

"Severe damage has also been caused to a building as a result of the collision."

Razaq Khan wrote on Facebook: "My daughter was having tution in the building next door. Thankfully she is fine and home safely. Thanks to the policeman for helping me find her. I hope everyone else is ok

Olivia Hogan said: "My mother was working in the building next door and I am so proud of her helping as many as she could with comfort first aid and anything else she can do whilst waiting for the services to arrive, I hope everyone is okay.