Wigan Album

Good pic craig, thanks for sharing hope nobody was hurt on there, its certainly a mess do you know what bridge it fell out with.

how did he survive that? stood up as well!

This looks like the back end. The seats are facing this way. How come?

It's the Front End i.e. Stairs at the front.

Looks as though they have missed a body, look to the left of the photo above the mirror at the top of the stairs - flat as a pancake he is. lol

when i worked on buses that happened at the top of belle green lane just past bush hotel bridge now gone it was on whelley loop line i know the drivers name but will not publish it

What year did this happen? I think I spy a Leyland National bus there on the lefthand side of the picture!

This happened on more than one occasion at the top of Belle Grren lane...Buses seem to crash into the bridge on a regular basis, just outside our house on the corner of Battersby St. My Grandma were one one that crashed into the bridge.. she never even thought of putting a claim in, like they would today she just got off. shook her head,looked daggers at the driver then walked home, near to the Prince of Wales pub.

i belive it was gathurst bridge im not to sure of the year though.

I remember a bus crashing into the bridge at the top of Belle Green Lane. After that crash I always sat at the front of the bus behind the driver to make sure the right turn flasher was on. If it wasn't I legged it to the back to jump off!

My Dad used to drive for Wigan Corp buses, I remember him telling me about a bus going under a low bridge and shearing the top off... I'm sure he said Gathurst bridge...No it wasn't my Dad driving that bus...

I recall in the late 70s, early 80s a double decked bus carrying a load of schoolkids doing the same at Skew Bridge, Newtown, Wigan, quite a few were injured and taken to hospital, I recall the roof looking in a similar condition.

I think you mistaken there dave , skew bridge has always been able to 'accomodate ' double deckers....well since 1944 that i know off.

You could be correct about the height John,however i did attend at that scene as a police officer, assisting, when the bus had its roof taken off under that bridge, now whether it hit the side by not going through in the centre of the road, i dont recall, but the roof was sheared exactly as in the photo as it was passing under. About 20 kids were taken to the infirmary.
Maybe someone else recalls the incident who could clarify.

I knew Martin in the photo, he is the husband of my cousin but passed away recently, a very good bloke RIP Martin.

I also remember an incident at Skew Bridge where a school bus either hit the side of the bridge or the railings but I only remember the side/corner of the bus hanging off so could be a different incident (between 81&86) , my mates dad was driving.

Sure it was one of the former Wigan Corporation atlanteans (KJP**J) working from St Peters High School, Orrell, to Shevington. The route was supposed to go via the M6 but, for whatever reason the driver took it under the bridge at Gathurst! Seem to remember that the bus was advertising 'reduced fares' between the decks! It was scrapped shortly after - being almost life expired anyway.

I KNEW MARTIN QUINN VERY WELL HE IS MISSED A LOT THE BUS WAS 3312 KJP 22J IT HAD AN ENGINE OVERHAUL ABOUT 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER WAS DENNIS O BRIEN AND N PATEL WAS THE CONDUCTOR I KNOW ABOUT THE ENGINE AS IT BROKE A PISTON COMING BACK FROM THE POPES VISIT AT HEATON PARK ON 31/5/1982 AS I WAS DRIVING IT WHEN THE ENGINE WHENT BANG ON THE M61

I KNEW MARTIN QUINN VERY WELL HE IS MISSED A LOT THE BUS WAS 3312 KJP 22J IT HAD AN ENGINE OVERHAUL ABOUT 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER WAS DENNIS O BRIEN AND N PATEL WAS THE CONDUCTOR I KNOW ABOUT THE ENGINE AS IT BROKE A PISTON COMING BACK FROM THE POPES VISIT AT HEATON PARK ON 31/5/1982 AS I WAS DRIVING IT WHEN THE ENGINE WHENT BANG ON THE M61

I was on that bus coming home from St Peters Orrell,on the top deck,how nobody was killed ive no idea,it was about 1980-81

Yes Ian cropper I think it was the one that went under gathurst bridge with us on it...must have been 1981-82