Various 'open-top bus conversion' incidents, usually involving railway bridges

[whole diary]

[LiskeardRich]

High on the suspension, or even over inflated tyres.

The clearance sign says 13'9. A standard height Plaxton President is 14'6, A Low height is 13'9 apparently so a low height should scrape through

[broadgage]

Indeed, and IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) there are a number of similar signs on each side of the road. Before moving from London I frequently used buses along that road. I never went upstairs having observed numerous very near misses and several busses striking trees, though with less dramatic consequences than this time.

[Brucey]

Another conversion, this time in Central London.

London bus roof torn off after it hits trees

The roof of a bus has been ripped off after it hit overhanging trees in central London.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31097083

[grahame]

next!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-doubledecker-bus-has-entire-roof-ripped-off-by-railway-bridge-10108592.html

Noting that it's hardly obvious from the bridge (in the background of the photos) that it's low  !!

[LiskeardRich]

next!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-doubledecker-bus-has-entire-roof-ripped-off-by-railway-bridge-10108592.html

Noting that it's hardly obvious from the bridge (in the background of the photos) that it's low  !!

It looks like it may be tight for a single decker.

[GBM]

My thoughts with the driver, and the subsequent inquiry. There but for the grace...........

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Roof ripped off Thorpe Park-bound school trip bus


The double-decker had been carrying 76 pupils on an end-of-term theme park trip

Eleven passengers have been taken to hospital after the top deck of a school bus was ripped off when it hit a railway bridge.

The double-decker had been carrying 76 pupils on an end-of-term theme park trip when it reportedly took a wrong turn in Staines, Surrey. It had been due to take the children to Thorpe Park, in Chertsey, when it crashed about two miles away.

None of the children on board the bus were seriously injured. However, South East Coast Ambulance Service reported one person with a suspected back injury and a further 10 with minor injuries were taken to local hospitals. A further 58 passengers were assessed and treated at the scene.

The bus had been carrying pupils from St John's School in Epping, Essex. A statement on the school's website said the trip had been a reward for pupils awarded a high number of house points.


The roof of the bus was left on the road behind the bridge

"We have spoken to a number of staff and we are able to confirm that there are no serious injuries although some students may have suffered some cuts and bruises," it said.

Reports of the crash, at the junction of Riverside Drive and Chertsey Lane, were first received just after 10:00 GMT, The road is expected to remain closed for a significant period of time and motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible.

Bus owner Galleon Travel said it was arranging for return travel to the school for some children, while some parents had already collected pupils.


Surrey Police said the road was expected to be closed for some time

[TonyK]

Not the first time UKIP have had problems with modes of transport.  Remember Election Day 2010?  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/8664260.stm

The report suggests, to me, pilot error as the primary cause. There is no reason to think that the type of aircraft was at fault - Polish Wilgas are robust and simple. The irony doesn't escape me.

[LiskeardRich]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A double-decker bus struck a tree and lost its roof in Bristol injuring 18 people, seven of whom were taken to hospital.

Crews were called to Fishponds Road following the accident involving the 342 service just after 07:40 BST.

Great Western Ambulance Service said those injured mainly had head injuries, but none was seriously hurt.

The busy road was closed for several hours but reopened just before 12:00 BST.

Operator First Bus confirmed one of its fleet had been involved in the incident.



'Loud bang'

"The top of the double-decker bus was in collision with some tree branches which were hanging over the road," a First Bus spokeswoman said. "The bus was in service at the time, with a number of passengers on board. Our teams are on the scene and are working with the relevant authorities to determine exactly what has happened. Our thoughts are currently with those people who were on the bus at the time of the incident and their friends and family."

Jonathan Pomeyie, who lives nearby, said he had been at the back of his house making a cup of tea when he heard a loud bang.

"It was a very deep impact type of sound, like an explosion. At first I wasn't too sure what it was. I [later] got a phone call from one of my friends who said there had been a bus accident so I looked out of a window to see if there were any delays to the traffic. I saw police, paramedics and firemen everywhere. It was a horrid and unbelievable sight to wake up to."

In the interests of continuity, this one now looks like this, and lives in Cornwall. It is intended for the new Falmouth Open Top service. Seen at Penzance running day.

V124LGC by Rich.W., on Flickr

[Palfers]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A double-decker bus struck a tree and lost its roof in Bristol injuring 18 people, seven of whom were taken to hospital.

Crews were called to Fishponds Road following the accident involving the 342 service just after 07:40 BST.

Great Western Ambulance Service said those injured mainly had head injuries, but none was seriously hurt.

The busy road was closed for several hours but reopened just before 12:00 BST.

Operator First Bus confirmed one of its fleet had been involved in the incident.



'Loud bang'

"The top of the double-decker bus was in collision with some tree branches which were hanging over the road," a First Bus spokeswoman said. "The bus was in service at the time, with a number of passengers on board. Our teams are on the scene and are working with the relevant authorities to determine exactly what has happened. Our thoughts are currently with those people who were on the bus at the time of the incident and their friends and family."

Jonathan Pomeyie, who lives nearby, said he had been at the back of his house making a cup of tea when he heard a loud bang.

"It was a very deep impact type of sound, like an explosion. At first I wasn't too sure what it was. I [later] got a phone call from one of my friends who said there had been a bus accident so I looked out of a window to see if there were any delays to the traffic. I saw police, paramedics and firemen everywhere. It was a horrid and unbelievable sight to wake up to."

In the interests of continuity, this one now looks like this, and lives in Cornwall. It is intended for the new Falmouth Open Top service. Seen at Penzance running day.

V124LGC by Rich.W., on Flickr

We had that bus back to Camborne this evening oh why oh why did I sit up top lol I'm still trying to warm up now!

[LiskeardRich]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A double-decker bus struck a tree and lost its roof in Bristol injuring 18 people, seven of whom were taken to hospital.

Crews were called to Fishponds Road following the accident involving the 342 service just after 07:40 BST.

Great Western Ambulance Service said those injured mainly had head injuries, but none was seriously hurt.

The busy road was closed for several hours but reopened just before 12:00 BST.

Operator First Bus confirmed one of its fleet had been involved in the incident.



'Loud bang'

"The top of the double-decker bus was in collision with some tree branches which were hanging over the road," a First Bus spokeswoman said. "The bus was in service at the time, with a number of passengers on board. Our teams are on the scene and are working with the relevant authorities to determine exactly what has happened. Our thoughts are currently with those people who were on the bus at the time of the incident and their friends and family."

Jonathan Pomeyie, who lives nearby, said he had been at the back of his house making a cup of tea when he heard a loud bang.

"It was a very deep impact type of sound, like an explosion. At first I wasn't too sure what it was. I [later] got a phone call from one of my friends who said there had been a bus accident so I looked out of a window to see if there were any delays to the traffic. I saw police, paramedics and firemen everywhere. It was a horrid and unbelievable sight to wake up to."

In the interests of continuity, this one now looks like this, and lives in Cornwall. It is intended for the new Falmouth Open Top service. Seen at Penzance running day.

V124LGC by Rich.W., on Flickr

We had that bus back to Camborne this evening oh why oh why did I sit up top lol I'm still trying to warm up now!

Open top down a dual carriageway sounds a great choice!

[Chris from Nailsea]

Open top down a dual carriageway sounds a great choice!

Indeed! 

However, purely to make it easier for those of our readers using mobile devices, could we please not use a generic 'reply with quote', whenever possible - particularly when those previous posts include images?

Thanks, CfN. 

[Surrey 455]

Another conversion in Norwood, South London yesterday.

http://www.itv.com/news/2015-07-19/pictures-top-of-a-bus-sliced-off-as-it-crashes-into-bridge/

[Chris from Nailsea]

Oh, the irony ... detached roof of bus ends up behind the sign warning that there was no way a double-decker would be able to pass under it:



 

[LiskeardRich]

Not a bus but an artic truck had a open top conversion yesterday on the A3047 at Scorrier just outside Redruth yesterday.
The entire body of the trailer came off.

Haven't seen news article yet. There has been 3 bridge strikes at this location in recent months having heard nothing in many years.

The signs indicate in imperial only 15'3. (4.6482m). The lorry was reportedly measured by police as 4.6 metres high. (I've heard this from a local lorry driver known to me, seen nothing official reported)