Seven people are taken to hospital as Stagecoach bus crashes into bridge in the Highlands

Driver, 50, dies after Stagecoach bus smashed into bridge and flipped onto side – as three passengers remain in a serious condition following Highlands horror crash

  • Driver, 50, has died after bus crashed south-east of Munlochy yesterday evening 
  • Stagecoach service operating between Inverness and Cromarty toppled over   
  • Three other passengers from Stagecoach bus are in serious but stable condition
  • **Did you witness the crash? Email bryony.jewell@mailonline.co.uk** 

A man has died after a Stagecoach bus crashed into a bridge in the Highlands and landed on its side. 

Emergency services were called to the incident south-east of Munlochy, on the Black Isle, near Inverness, just after 5.40pm on Friday.

The collision involved a 37-seater service bus which was travelling from Inverness to Cromarty.

Police have now confirmed that the 50-year-old driver of the bus sustained fatal injuries.

Fire, police and ambulance crews were sent to the scene at the B9161 at Littlemill Bridge at around 5.40pm where the Stagecoach service had toppled off

There were nine passengers on the bus at the time, three of whom remain in a serious but stable condition, with the other passengers sustaining minor injuries.

Sergeant Alan Henderson, of the road policing unit, Highlands and Islands division, said: ‘Our thoughts at this time are with those involved and their families.

‘An investigation into the collision is under way and we have already spoken to a number of witnesses. 

‘In order to help establish the cause of the collision, I would urge anyone who saw the vehicle prior to the collision who has not already come forward, to do so.

‘Likewise, if any motorists believe they may have dashcam footage which could assist our enquiries, I appeal for them to come forward.’ 

Fire, police and ambulance crews were sent to the scene at the B9161 at Littlemill Bridge yesterday evening.

A Stagecoach North Scotland spokesman confirmed there had been a 'serious road accident' involving one of their services

A Stagecoach North Scotland spokesman confirmed there had been a ‘serious road accident’ involving one of their services

In a statement, Police Scotland said: ‘A number of injured people have been conveyed to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but no further details are being released at this time.’

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), which sent a number of resources to the scene, said it safely removed one person who was trapped in the single-decker bus. Five other casualties were also assisted.

An SFRS spokeswoman said: ‘The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 5.44pm on Friday to assist emergency service partners with a bus that had left the road in Inverness.

‘Operations control mobilised three fire engines and a heavy rescue unit to the B9161 at Munlochy, where firefighters safely removed one casualty who was trapped from the bus.

‘The casualty was passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service for treatment. Five other casualties were also assisted from the bus.’

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which sent a number of resources to the scene, said it safely removed one person who was trapped in the single-decker bus

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which sent a number of resources to the scene, said it safely removed one person who was trapped in the single-decker bus

A Stagecoach North Scotland spokesman said: ‘We can confirm there has been a serious road accident on the Black Isle in the Munlochy area involving one of our services operating between Inverness and Cromarty.

‘Emergency services are at the scene of the accident. Our first thoughts are for those affected and their families.

‘Safety is our absolute priority and we are supporting the police and the emergency services in any way that we can, including helping establish the circumstances involved.’

Kate Forbes, the SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, tweeted: ‘Very concerned and sorry to see this news. Thoughts with everybody involved, particularly those who are hurt.’

The road has been closed in both directions, with diversions in place, and crews remained in attendance at the scene on Friday evening.

Any concerned relatives seeking more information, or members of the public who witnessed the accident, are being asked to contact police on the 101 number, quoting incident number 2792 of January 11.

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