Two people are in a serious condition after a bus crashed into a city centre shelter.
Emergency services have swarmed Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester after the bus is understood to have veered into a number of pedestrians.
Hundreds of onlookers watched on with concern as ambulances rushed to treat a number of casualties at the scene just before 9.30pm tonight.
One eyewitness told the MEN he saw the bus come around the corner before crashing into a bus shelter on Portland Street.
“It was awful," he said. "It came round the corner and smashed straight into the bus shelter and I then I heard screams.”
A second added: “Unsure as to what caused it but the bus has launched forward and mounted the pavement, crushing the glass and plastic bus stop and damaging the front”.
Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that at least two people are in a serious condition and it's understood at least four people were hit by the bus.
Photos from the scene show the bus at an angle having careered into the bus stop, with shattered glass strewn across the pavement and a cordon in place.
A force spokesperson added: "We're currently in attendance at Piccadilly Gardens after being called to a report of a road traffic collision involving a bus and pedestrians just before 9.30pm tonight.
"Emergency services are in attendance and two pedestrians are currently being treated at the scene.
"Motorists and those nearby are asked to avoid the area whilst officers and emergency responders remain at the scene."
Local councillor Pat Karney said he was "mystified" at how such an incident could happen, praising the emergency services for their response.
He added: "We are mystified how such an accident could happen.
"We all hope nobody is badly injured. Thanks to our emgergency (sic) services for their speedy response."
Numerous officers have been seen going in and out of the cordon to the tents that have been put in place.
One ambulance also left the scene while some paramedics continued to treat people nearby.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At 9.30pm this evening (10 July) firefighters were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus on Portland Street, near Piccadilly Gardens, in Manchester.
“Fire crews from Manchester Central and Moss Side fire stations, as well as the Technical Response Unit from Ashton, used specialist rescue equipment to help extricate a casualty who was then conveyed to hospital via our colleagues at North West Ambulance Service.
"GMFRS were at the scene for just over an hour.”
