UPDATE - BROMLEY: Town centre crash sees double-decker bus hit furniture shop (From News Shopper)
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UPDATE - BROMLEY: Town centre crash sees double-decker bus hit furniture shop
1:13pm Monday 28th September 2009 in
A BUS has crashed into a building in Bromley town centre, injuring three people.
It is understood the red double-decker hit Hammonds furniture shop in Widmore Road at around noon today (September 28).
Staff at Thackray-Williams solicitors were evacuated following the accident.
They have not been allowed to go back into their office in Kings House, next to the crash site.
Widmore Road has been cordoned off by police between Tweedy Road and East Street after the accident near the Glades shopping centre.
Maggie Gebbett, of Yester Road, Chislehurst, said she saw three police cars and two ambulances at the scene.
The 64-year-old added: "It must have been a hell of a crash.
"The bus had obviously veered across the pavement, maybe 10-15ft, and buried itself in the building, so the top of the bus was all crushed.
"I would think if there was anyone on top of the bus they are going to be in a very bad way."
Police have confirmed three people were injured in the crash involving the number 61, but it is not known if they were bus passengers or pedestrians.
Another eyewitness, Ron Carter, of Empress Drive, Chislehurst, said: "The road going into East Street was completely cordoned off.
"There was a double-decker bus that was wedged into a building, it had taken the front of it with it."
Motorists have told how queues of traffic are backing up along Tweedy Road and Kentish Way.
Joan Duhig, 72, of Brockman Rise, Downham, says she was waiting in traffic in Kentish Way for around 25 minutes.
She said: "It looks very bad.
"I just hope the driver and passengers haven't been hurt."
A Transport for London spokesman said there would be a "full investigation" into the incident, adding: "Widmore Road is currently closed in both directions, causing delays for drivers in the area."
A number of bus routes are now on diversion, including route numbers 61, 246 and 320.
There have been no arrests in connection with the accident.
Did you see what happened? Were you on the bus? Call the newsroom on 01689 885732.
Comments(8)
fredbassit
says...
5:01pm Mon 28 Sep 09
stuey180
says...
8:44pm Mon 28 Sep 09
porkpie
says...
9:24pm Mon 28 Sep 09
stuey180 wrote:I have seen some of you do a good a job. However there are more & more out there that let the good one's down. 321 route must have the rudest drivers on it. I get on say morning, please and thank you. Driver just grunts. I've even helped with chavvy kids starting problems got no thanks.
as far as the moron who says bus drivers are just trained baboons i will point out that us bus drivers are regarded as the best public service drivers in the world !! this accident and its location shows me that it cannot be a normal accident and there is far more goin on !! i drive my bus through bromley dailey and its only our proffesionalism and care that stops a great number of the public from gettin run over in the town centre EVERY DAY . we do a stressfull job for long hours bein abused daily for very little return so dont just judge wot u see in a picture wait until you know the real FACTS
elcapitan
says...
11:40pm Mon 28 Sep 09
Porkpie, you might just come across a driver whose coming to the end of a shift on these occassions. To be honest, with what some of the bus drivers have to put up with, Im not surprised that they can be a little peeeed-off at times and may come across as rude!
And well as for todays incident, I arrived soon after it occured. The bus came from Kentish Way turning left onto Widmore Road. It was route 61. Chances of driver error is close to 0% by the markings on the road from the tyres I would say that there was a mechanical fault. Steering or throttle lock probably. Buses never go fast round this corner its just too tight. Dunno who witnessed East street being closed because it was never closed. Buses were diverted down there.
And one last thing...I do hate people that speculate. Heard a guy talking on his mobile saying "Yeh Im down Widmore and this bus has crashed into a shop. 269 from Bexley, come round corner to fast from Bromley North Station and hes gone straight into window. Must be drunk!" What a load of tosh!
Antonio Garcia
says...
12:36am Tue 29 Sep 09
Rattler One Seven
says...
7:12am Tue 29 Sep 09
However, every day I see bus drivers driving far to fast in this area of the town centre and blatantly ignoring the traffic signals. This, combined with some pedestrians who also ignore the traffic signals and wander aimlessly into the road, will eventually result in a very tragic accident - or even death.
The council need to think seriously about installing some traffic cameras in the area. These would be genuine safety cameras and not just money making devices like most traffic cameras are.
super guler
says...
8:19am Tue 29 Sep 09
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The bus hit the corner of Hammonds and Kings House. Picture by George Lee
The scene of the accident. Picture by Sian Dockray.
UPDATE - BROMLEY: Town centre crash sees double-decker bus hit furniture shop
UPDATE - BROMLEY: Town centre crash sees double-decker bus hit furniture shop
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madras says...
4:39pm Mon 28 Sep 09
It must have been a hell of a crash'; The bus had obviously veered across the pavement, maybe 10-15ft'
; I would think if there was anyone on top of the bus they are going to be in a very bad way'
; There was a double-decker bus that was wedged into a building'
- These are NOT eyewitnesses - clearly they saw NOTHING HAPPEN. They were there after the event. And are telling me less than I can see from the photos
- why not just admit 'we couldn't find anyone who saw it happen'?