Lothian bus wrecks shelter in Leith in rush hour smash

The bus after it ploughed into the shelter. Picture: contributed

PASSENGERS had a lucky escape after a bus ploughed into a shelter '“ tearing its roof off and smashing glass.

The Ocean Terminal-bound number 36 Lothian bus hit the stop in Bonnington Road during evening rush hour on Tuesday.

Despite occurring at one of the busiest times for bus passengers, nobody is thought to have been injured in the incident.

The impact destroyed the bus stop, with pictures showing the mangled wreckage left behind.

The damage following the incident. Picture; contributed

The bus stop’s roof was completely torn off along with the glass behind the shelter’s seats, which appeared to have been shattered.

The roof was left on its side, with its glass cracked, and was yesterday propped up by the wall of a nearby newsagent, completely blocking the pavement.

Shards of glass could be seen scattered over the surrounding area and a side of the stop has been bent over and twisted.

The area has since been cordoned off with temporary fencing and red tape.

Javed Iqbal, who works in the newsagent behind the bus stop, was alerted to the smash when he heard a “loud bang” from outside.

He said: “The bus must have come in and hit the stop when I was standing behind the counter because I heard a really loud bang.

“A customer was just coming into the shop when the bus hit.

“I rushed out to see what had happened.

“I think the driver just got too close to the kerb when he was coming in to stop and let people on because the front of the buses stretch out quite far and this is a busy road.

“I don’t think anybody was hurt thankfully.”

The crash came just days after the new 20mph speed limit was introduced around the city centre.

In April this year, a bus crash on one of the city’s busiest roads caused major rush-hour traffic congestion.

It is thought hydraulic fluid caused the bus to slip and crash into railings on Queensferry Road.

A spokeswoman for Lothian Buses said: “We can confirm that one of our vehicles was involved in an incident on Tuesday evening.

“An investigation is currently under way in line with company procedures to determine the circumstances and cause.”