Two men have died and 20 people have been injured in a major crash between a double decker bus and a lorry today.
Three ambulance crews, two police cars and firefighters raced to the scene on the A47 in Guyhirn, Cambridgeshire at 7.30am, along with the Magpas air ambulance.
Police said nine people travelling in the bus were seriously injured while 11 passengers have minor injuries.
The men, who were both travelling in the bus involved in the collision, died at the scene, according to police.
Pictures from the scene show the aftermath with a jackknifed HGV wrapped around the front of the double decker.
The serious crash happened at about 7.30am today on the A47 in Guyhirn, Cambridgeshire
Two men died and around 20 people were injured in the crash between a double decker bus and a lorry
The East of England Ambulance Service described the crash as a ‘serious road traffic incident’
The lorry appears to have pulled out of its depot onto the busy 60mph A-road and then collided with the bus
The lorry appears to have pulled out of its depot onto the busy 60mph A-road and then collided with the bus.
Steve Barclay, the local Conservative MP, suggested earlier there had been deaths, saying: ‘Concerning news locally of road fatalities and injuries at Thorney Toll.
‘If any constituents are affected and need support in the coming days please get in touch via my constituency office.’
Paramedics said the crash was initially declared as a major incident because of the number of patients involved, but that was stood down shortly before 10am.
Cambridgeshire Fire Service said crews were called at 7.33am. The East of England Ambulance Service said 16 patients were transferred to hospital.
The side of the lorry shows the logo of Brett’s Transport, which lies just metres off the A47 where the crash happened.
The bus involved appears to be a First X1 Excel service which was travelling between Peterborough bus station and Wisbech bus station, at the time.
Emergency crews were called to the A47 in Cambridgeshire at around 7.30am this morning
East of England Ambulance Service said it had sent seven ambulance crews
Paramedics said the crash was initially declared as a major incident because of the number of patients involved, but that was stood down shortly before 10am
Louise Mead, owner of W.H Mead and Sons, said: ‘We are directly opposite where the crash took place and at about 7.30am this morning we heard an enormous bang.’
Magpas Air Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic Dan Read, who has been on the scene, said: ‘We worked very closely with the emergency services to assist the EEAST Ambulance Service Paramedic Crews with help to manage a very complex incident.’
A spokesman for the Magpas charity added: ‘At 7.58am Magpas Doctor Lee Soomaroo and Paramedic Dan Read arrived on the A47 near Guyhirn via a Magpas Air Ambulance rapid response vehicle.
‘They had been called to the scene of a serious collision between a heavy goods vehicle and a bus.
‘The Magpas enhanced medical team assessed the scene and utilized their specialist knowledge and skills to help manage the impact of the serious road traffic collision.’
Police confirmed two men had died in the horrifying crash, and their families have been informed
Cambridgeshire Fire Service said crews were called to the crash at 7.33am this morning
Highways England said the road was not expected to open until 1pm at the earliest, and ambulance staff urged people only to call them in a genuine emergency.
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We are currently attending a serious road traffic incident in Thorney Road, Guyhirn.
‘The East of England Ambulance Service Trust has currently dispatched seven ambulance crews, three ambulance officers, two rapid response vehicles, a Hazardous Area Response Team and Magpas Air Ambulance to the scene where the crew are caring for several seriously injured patients.
‘We are working closely with our emergency blue light colleagues, and we thank the public for their assistance at this time.’
Highways England said the road was not expected to open until 1pm at the earliest, and ambulance staff urged people only to call them in a genuine emergency
Three ambulance officers and two rapid response vehicles were sent to the scene today
Emergency services were in attendance including an enhanced doctor and paramedic team
Highways England said the road was not expected to open again until 1pm at the earliest
A Cambridgeshire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘Two people have suffered fatal injuries following a collision on the A47 this morning (26 June).
‘The men, who were both travelling in the bus involved in the collision, died at the scene. Their families have been informed.
‘Investigations continue at the scene and the road remains closed. People are advised to avoid the area or expect delays.’
Drivers heading eastbound are being directed to take the Whitepost roundabout to the A1139, then head southbound towards Parnwell, then take the A604 east to the Fletton Interchange, then the A141 to re-join the A47 at Guyhirn.
Drivers heading westbound are being directed to follow this diversion route in reverse.
Police continue to appeal for witnesses to the collision to contact them on 101.
A Highways England spokesman tweeted: ‘A47 is closed in both directions between the B198 and A141 near Wisbech and Thorney due to a serious collision.’
Delays around the area built up this morning, with the affected section of the A47 expected to be shut for at least three hours.