hree people were injured after a double-decker bus crashed into a bridge on Loddon Bridge Road in Woodley on Monday morning (9 March).
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 9am following reports that the bus had struck the bridge. Early indications suggest the driver suffered a medical episode while at the wheel, causing the vehicle to leave its normal route and collide with the low bridge.
Passengers injured
Paramedics treated several passengers following the crash.
A woman in her 80s and a woman in her 40s both suffered facial injuries and were taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment.
A teenager sustained minor injuries but was treated by paramedics at the scene.
The male bus driver was also taken to hospital for assessment.
Significant damage to the bus
Photographs from the scene showed the upper deck of the bus severely damaged, with sections of the roof torn open and several windows smashed after the vehicle struck the bridge.
The bus involved has been confirmed as a vehicle operated by Reading Buses.
A spokesperson for the company said:
“We can confirm that one of our vehicles departed from the normal route and struck a bridge this morning. We are working with the emergency services to investigate the circumstances.
We understand that three people were injured and had to be attended to by paramedics. The bus has been recovered to assess the damage and gather CCTV, and the road was reopened at lunchtime.”
Road closure while bridge assessed
Thames Valley Police closed Loddon Bridge Road while National Highways engineers assessed the structure for damage.
The road was reopened around lunchtime once checks were completed.
A police spokesperson said officers were called shortly after 9am following reports of the crash and confirmed that the driver had been taken to hospital.
According to the bus route, the vehicle should have turned left before reaching the bridge.
The South Central Ambulance Service said the driver “may have sustained a medical episode at the wheel”, which is believed to have contributed to the incident.
Investigations into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
