London bus crash latest: 15 people in hospital after bus hits pedestrians outside Victoria station – UK Times

Metropolitan Police are appealing for witnesses after an traffic collision incident in London Victoria which saw 15 people hospitalised.

Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, who leads policing in the area said:

“We understand this incident will have been very distressing to all those involved and injured and we have begun an investigation.

“We are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to please contact us. We welcome any dash cam or mobile phone footage.

“We are working closely with our partners to clear the scene but the road will remain closed for the next few hours so please seek alternative routes.

“Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 1605/4Sept.”

The driver, passengers and pedestrians were among 15 taken to hospital for their injuries, the Metropolitan Police has told The Independent.

No fatalities have been reported and it is understood the injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

An investigation into the incident has begun and no arrests have been made yet.

Police are enforcing a smoking ban in the area near a bus collision in Victoria, central London, because there is a trail of diesel running down Allington Street, where the 24 bus mounted the pavement.

The bus crashed near Victoria station during rush hour just off Victoria Street. Roads have been closed and traffic has been diverted.

Two pedestrians have been killed in bus crashes in Victoria in recent years as pedestrian safety has long been a concern around the bus station.

Catherine Finnegan, 56, from County Galway, Ireland, died after she was hit by a double-decker bus at Victoria bus station in January last year.

In August 2021, Melissa Burr, 32, from Rainham, Kent, was killed at the station after bus driver Olusofa Popoola accidentally accelerated into the back of a stationary bus, shunting it into her.

Ms Burr was using a pedestrian walkway at the bus station and crossed towards the door of a 507 bus parked at its stop before she was hit.

Popoola, of Peckham, south-east London, admitted causing Ms Burr’s death by careless driving and said he had pressed the accelerator instead of the brake by mistake.

He was sentenced at the Old Bailey to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.Victoria bus station was closed in late 2023 for works designed to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility for partially sighted passengers.

Problems highlighted included an unconventional layout of pedestrian crossings, use of markings and a lack of tactile paving, as well as one crossing that directed pedestrians into a bus stop.

As the situation unfolds following a major traffic collision in central London, here is what we currently don’t know:

• How many people are injured?
• What caused the bus collision?
• How long will the roads around London Victoria be closed for?

Transport for London’s status updates show that at least 14 bus services have been diverted in both directions on approach to Victoria Station due to a collision.

“Allow extra time for your journey. Diversion details to follow”, the service said.

The buses on diversion include: 2,3,6,11,13,24,26,36,38,44,52,148,170,390.

Photos of the incident show that the bus involved in the collision was the number 24 bus going towards Hampstead Heath.

The bus service, run by Transport for London, goes from Hampstead Heath and Pimlico and makes 35 stops usually.

Pictures show the front of the red double decker was smashed up following the collision.