Bus and tram in head-on collision in Manchester City Centre

A bus and a tram have been involved in a head-on collision at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester City Centre. It happened at around 1415 on Friday 18^th October and saw a bus operated by Magic Bus collide with the front of Metrolink M5000 3053.

The exact circumstances which led to the collision are unknown but the bus hit the tram in a tram only area close to where the Mosley Street stop used to be located. The tram seemed to be heading into Piccadilly Gardens when the incident occurred.

A major emergency services operation was initiated which saw one casualty having to be cut free the front of the bus. In total its reported that there were four casualties, one with suspected serious injuries.

The fire service were on the scene for around an hour and a half and they were joined by the Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and Manchester Metrolink. The North West Air Ambulance was also on the scene with it landing on the grassed area in Piccadilly Gardens.

As would be expected following an incident of this type there were major changes to Metrolink services:

• Ashton to Piccadilly
• Eccles to Crumpsall
• Bury to Altrincham via Exchange Square
• Manchester Airport to Victoria via Exchange Square
• Altrincham to Cornbrook

The East Didsbury to Rochdale and Trafford Centre to Deansgate-Castlefield were unaffected. No trams were able to serve Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street or Shudehill. Bus services were also impacted with Piccadilly Gardens closed meaning they were also having to be diverted.

The tram – which suffered a smashed windscreen and damage to its lower front bumper – was moved under its own power away from the scene at around 1800. The bus was towed away slightly earlier.