Eight people are in hospital after a double-decker bus collided with a railway bridge in Kilmarnock today.
Emergency crews raced to the horror incident on the East Ayrshire town’s Culzean Crescent at 1.55pm. Paramedics attended and eight people were rushed to University Hospital Crosshouse for treatment.
Police Scotland has since confirmed that there are no reports of any serious injuries. The road reopened at 5.30pm.
Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the smash are ongoing. Images taken in the aftermath of the incident show the roof of the Stagecoach bus lying in the middle of the road of the crash site.
The roofless wreckage was also pictured on the opposite side of the bridge. Horrified passersby told the Record they heard an “almighty bang” before witnessing the vehicle “crashing through the tunnel”.
Eyewitness Ronnie Smith, 51, a local warehouse operative, told the Record: “I walked under the bridge during my dog walk and we had just entered a nearby park when I heard an almighty bang. I quickly turned around and saw the bus crashing through the tunnel under the bridge.
“The whole roof was sliced off. We ran back across the road to see if anybody needed help. A few passengers were in shock. The neighbours began coming out to help and brought out towels for any injuries. Lots of onlookers then started to arrive in cars videoing the aftermath.
“I decided to leave with the dog. I walked home under the bridge and it was completely covered in metal and broken glass.”
A statement from Police Scotland reads: “Officers were called to a crash involving a double decker bus on Culzean Crescent in Kilmarnock around 1.55pm on Thursday, 19 December, 2024. Eight passengers were taken to hospital. There are no reports of serious injuries. Inquiries are ongoing into the collision. The road reopened around 5.30pm.”
A Stagecoach West Scotland spokesperson said: “We can confirm there has been an incident involving one of our buses in Kilmarnock this afternoon. The 6 service, which runs from Kilmarnock Bus Station to New Farm Loch, struck a low bridge. We are aware of eight people who were injured and are currently being treated by emergency services. Investigations are ongoing and we are working closely with Police Scotland.”
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