Camden New Journal - News: Passengers escape death as crash rips roof off bus

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Camden New Journal - by TOM FOOT
Published: 14 February 2008

Scene after the accident. ‘It just happened so fast... I thought it could be a bomb,” said a passenger

Passengers escape death as crash rips roof off bus

WITH its mangled roof almost completely detached, it is hard to believe none of the top-deck passengers was killed when a double-decker bus struck a railway arch in Kentish Town on Monday morning.
Those who walked away unharmed from the wreckage in Prince of Wales Road said they feared the bus was being bombed.
One passenger, whose condition was initially described as “serious”, was said to be “stable” yesterday (Wednesday). Six others needed hospital treatment.
An investigation has been launched into whether safety signs advising double-decker bus drivers to stick to the middle of the road were missed. The number 24 bus was on diversion after road closures caused by the fire in Camden Market on Saturday.
Passenger Gail Hulse, 37, who lives in Hampstead, was on the bottom deck when she heard a “horrific, crunching noise”.
She said: “It just happened so fast. There was an elderly couple that had to be stretchered away. There was glass everywhere. I thought it could be a bomb.”
It was the second time a double-decker bus had struck the bridge in three months. A 168 bus lost its roof after taking a late-night diversion in November.
A Transport for London spokeswoman said: “The bridge in Prince of Wales Road is arched and is 16ft 6ins high in the middle, and can be used safely by double-deck buses when they stay in the middle of the road. There are clear road markings as well as a sign on the bridge reminding drivers of that fact.”
She added: “We will be working with the bus operator, London General, and the police to carry out a full investigation.”
A series of guiding cones was in place on Tuesday as buses negotiated the diversion.

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