A bus has crashed into a cafe and a row of shops on the ground floor of the City Tower building at Piccadilly Gardens bus station in Manchester city centre.
The incident occurred around 1:20pm on Monday, 16 October and the bus station has now been closed off to the public, with the nearby tram stop also now shut.
A large number of emergency responders including police, paramedics and firefighters are on the scene of the crash behind a black screen working as the crash is said to have resulted in at least two people being taken to hospital and potentially more injured after the bus collided with multiple shop fronts.
A white tent was also erected but has since been taken down and those seriously hurt have now been rushed to hospital for further treatment. The BBC understands that those caught in the accident were pedestrians outside the building.
As you can see, the bus is still firmly lodged in the building. (Credit: @skylinermcr via Twitter)/The Manc Group)
While the exact cause of the crash is still yet to be confirmed, the single-decker vehicle is yet to be removed from the building and an eye-witness told the MEN that “there was glass smashed everywhere and the driver was still revving” at the collision.
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The bus involved in the incident is said to be the X50 Diamond Bus which runs between Piccadilly Gardens and the Trafford Centre. The units which the bus crashed into look to be T4 Bubble Tea cafe and two adjacent shops including a branch of Greggs.
Greater Manchester Police have since issued a statement addressing the incident, confirming that “police alongside colleagues in the Northwest Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue have been in attendance.
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“There are road closures in the area whilst emergency services remain at the scene dealing with the collision and officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are in attendance.”
The current scenes at Piccadilly Gardens station after the bus crash (Credit: The Manc Group)
As you can see above, the area is still heavily cordoned off and transport links are being diverted. Commuters can expect significant travel disruptions for the foreseeable.
GMP went on to add, “We would ask members of the public to avoid the area where possible whilst officers establish the full circumstances.”
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As for the travel links, the area remains closed and alternative stops are being used for both buses and Metrolink trams which are now part of the centralised Bee Network public transport system.
Featured Image — @skylinermcr (via Twitter)/The Manc Group
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
News
Seven people arrested in Salford over plans to conduct coordinated mass shoplifting campaign
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested in Salford over plans to be part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign of ‘high end’ retailers and supermarkets across the country.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), it is believed the group had been training for ‘non‑violent direct action’ in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, where they were intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country, and then redistribute them to places such as food banks.
Working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 April) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
It has been reported in multiple sources, such as the BBC and the MEN, that the individuals arrested are believed to be part of the Take Back Power Action Group.
Take Back Power Action Group describes itself on its website as a ‘nonviolent civil resistance group’ that is aiming to ‘put the 99% in charge’ through citizen’s assemblies.
“We are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that in order to fix Britain, taxing the rich is an essential first step, and we want ordinary people to decide how,” a statement on the group’s website declares.
Speaking following the arrests over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.
“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
Danny Jones -
16th October 2023 
