Man in 70s remains in hospital after Carlisle station bus crash

New information from the police revealed that the incident happened in the early evening, but an emergency service presence was observed well into the night.

A spokesperson from the British Transport Police said: "At just after 6.20pm yesterday evening (November 30), officers attended Carlisle Railway Station following reports that a coach had struck the building.

"Cumbria Constabulary, the local ambulance and fire services were also in attendance at the scene.

Heavy emergency services presence at the scene last night (Nov 30) (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

"A man in his 70s obtained serious injuries and is being treated in hospital.

"An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing."

The incident shocked many, as people entering and exiting the station were assembling in small groups to see what was happening.

Many were making phone calls to friends and family to tell them what they saw.

Most people expressed their sympathies with the people who were hurt, and the man who was seriously injured and then taken to hospital.

Steph Thomson said: "I'm praying no one is badly injured."

Carol Ferguson said: "I hope all are okay."

Joanne Dearlove commented: "Hope no one is too badly hurt."

Janey Borg expressed her sympathy: "Hope he will get well soon, the driver, and the passengers."

It is currently unknown about the cause of the crash, and it is not known if the coach had any passengers inside.

A spokesperson from Avanti West Coast, which manages the station and was on the scene setting up diversion barriers for pedestrians accessing the station and drivers, said that the main entrance to the station is still closed.

However, the ticket office has reopened today, and customers are to access the station via the Fish Arch, to the side of the normal entrance.

This temporary entrance is very close to the main one, and signage is in place to assist train users.

Temporary diversion signage at the station was put in place last night to assist station users. It remains in place today (Dec 1) (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

The main entrance is surrounded by a police cordon line and barriers in the meantime.

It is unclear currently when the main entrance will reopen.

News & Star footage showed the damaged bus, which was being operated by Spencer Graham Coaches based in Aspatria, after the crash, and a heavy emergency services presence.

Damaged coach at Carlisle railway station, Nov 30 (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

Two people were also treated at the scene. 

Fire engines and ambulances, as well as several police cars, were on the scene (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

The station entrance was temporarily closed with a diversion to allow access in and out of the station. 

Train services were still running at the time with disruption kept to a minimum in terms of accessing and exiting the station itself.

Cars were able to access the car park and were initially asked to turn around if dropping off/picking up, but were then able to travel through once barrier marked routes were established for vehicles and pedestrians.

After most of the emergency services left, the area around the coach was barriered, pending recovery (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

Hermione, who travelled to Carlisle from Hastings, and a witness at the scene, said: "As I came out the station, I saw the paramedics working on someone on the floor. 

"They were near the bus at the time." 

The coach was a rail replacement coach and is believed to have been one planned for a TransPennine Express service.

What appeared to be a recovery vehicle arrived later in the evening (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

A spokesperson from Northwest Ambulance Service (NWAS) said last night: "One person has been taken to hospital.

"Two others were treated at the scene. 

"We had an advanced paramedic and ambulance on scene." 

However, NWAS has today (Dec 1) clarified that there were additional ambulance units: "The incident was attended by two ambulances, two advanced paramedics, an emergency doctor and a critical care paramedic."

A TransPennine Express spokesperson confirmed today (Dec 1) that the coach was a rail replacement bus operating one of its services.

They added: “Emergency services were called to the scene and investigations, led by British Transport Police, are ongoing.

Heavy emergency services presence at the scene of the crash (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

“We are assisting those enquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

A spokesperson from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said two fire engines from Carlisle East and West attended at 6.22pm.

They described it as a 'single vehicle road traffic collision' at Court Square.

They confirmed that one casualty was treated by NWAS and taken to hospital, and said that fire crews were in attendance for an hour.

Spencer Graham Coaches was approached for a comment, but they chose not to.