An urgent investigation is underway after a double-decker bus collided with a low canal bridge in Salford, Greater Manchester, injuring 20 people and leading to the arrest of the bus driver. The incident occurred on Monday when the Stagecoach-operated vehicle crashed into the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Lane, causing the upper deck of the bus to be torn off.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that three individuals sustained serious injuries, including a 19-year-old woman and two men—one in his 20s and another in his 40s. All three remain hospitalized in stable condition. One passenger was reportedly ejected from the top deck during the impact.
The bus driver, a man in his 50s, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Seventeen other passengers were treated for injuries at the scene, none of which were life-threatening or life-changing, according to authorities.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced that an “immediate and urgent” investigation has been launched to determine why the bus — operating on the 100 service — diverted from its usual route. A spokesperson confirmed that the route change played a significant role in the crash.
“There are height restriction signs and hanging chains placed ahead of the bridge,” GMP stated, suggesting that visual warnings were in place to prevent such incidents.
By Tuesday morning, Barton Lane had reopened, following an overnight operation to remove the severely damaged bus. Dramatic photos from the scene showed the vehicle with its roof completely sheared off and top-floor seating exposed to the elements.
The incident has sparked public outrage and renewed concerns about bridge safety in the area. Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, expressed sympathy for those affected.
“This is clearly a distressing situation for everyone involved,” he said. “We are working closely with the police and Stagecoach to understand what led to this serious incident.”
Michael Wheeler, Labour MP for Worsley and Eccles, also weighed in, calling the crash “unacceptable” and pointing to a history of similar incidents involving the same bridge. “It’s not the first time this has happened,” he told BBC Radio Manchester. “We need to ensure this never happens again.”
Indeed, the same aqueduct was the site of a comparable crash in April 2023, when another bus similarly struck the bridge and had its roof torn off. Local residents and safety advocates have long called for enhanced measures to prevent such accidents, including improved signage, route monitoring, and driver awareness programs.
TfGM and Stagecoach are expected to release further statements once preliminary findings from the investigation are complete. In the meantime, concerns about the effectiveness of current height warnings and route adherence continue to dominate local debate.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant dashcam footage to come forward as part of the ongoing investigation.
This latest incident adds to growing scrutiny of road safety and public transportation oversight in Greater Manchester, especially around known low-clearance structures.
