The top of a double-decker bus was almost completely torn off after the driver crashed into a railway bridge in South London. Remarkably, police reported no serious injuries following the collision, which occurred on Saturday evening (December 14) just before 11 p.m. The incident involved the 197 bus hitting the Norwood Junction bridge on Portland Road in South Norwood, Croydon.
Scotland Yard confirmed that police and paramedics attended the scene, but no arrests were made. Photos shared on the South Norwood Net – Chat Group on Facebook revealed police and firefighters at the site, with the roof of the bus significantly damaged by the thick metal girders supporting the railway tracks above.
Local residents noted that similar incidents have happened before. Both Transport for London (TfL) and Go-Ahead London, the operator of the 197 bus route, are being contacted for more details about the crash. Expressing frustration, one resident commented, “They need to stop double-deckers using this route! Will it take someone dying for action to be taken?” Another said, “Oh Portland Road, we’ve seen so many bad and fatal accidents. When will it end? This road has the most incidents.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated: “Police were called at approximately 22:55 on Saturday, 14 December, to reports of a bus colliding with a railway bridge on Portland Road, SE25. Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. There were no reports of serious injuries. No arrests have been made, and inquiries are ongoing.”
Network Rail has warned that bridge strikes can result in serious injury or fatalities for both road and rail users. Such incidents can disrupt railway operations and road traffic, with safety inspections on damaged bridges causing further delays.
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