More than 25 injured in London bus crash after double-decker hits railway bridge

Pictures showed the double-decker, which had 30 people on board at the time, with its roof removed. Photo: @LAS_JRU / Twitter

More than 25 people have been injured after a double-decker bus crashed into a railway bridge.

Five passengers had to be taken to hospital after the vehicle became wedged under the bridge in Tottenham, north London, just after 4am, the fire service said.

Pictures showed the double-decker, which had 30 people on board at the time, with its roof removed as firefighters worked at the scene to rescue three people, who were trapped on the upper deck.

It is understood they were not trapped by their injuries but by the glass panel at the front of the bus, which had been pushed in by the force of the crash.

We are attending an incident in N17 where a bus has collided with a bridge. We are treating multiple patients at the scene. pic.twitter.com/Y1FoH7gDlw

— Joint Response Unit (@LAS_JRU) October 22, 2016

Transport for London confirmed it was a privately-owned bus. Images released from the scene showed it had "private" and "Vault London" signage. The company, which organises "party bus" hire, has been contacted for comment but has not yet replied.

Footage that appeared to be taken at the scene showed one young man climbing out of the back of the bus as others reached up to try and help him. Shouting can be heard in the background.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said crews were called to the collision at 4.05am and worked at the scene for nearly two hours.

"Crews helped release three people who were trapped on the upper deck of a double-decker bus," he said.

"Five passengers were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service and 21 people were treated at the scene. The brigade was called at 4.05am and the incident was over at 5.44am."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers had attended the scene. They confirmed that none of the injuries were serious.

They said: "Two people were taken to an east London hospital. Their injuries are described as not life threatening and not life changing."

Network Rail confirmed that it sent engineers to the site and blocked the train line at 4.51am.

A spokesman added: "The line was reopened at 5.37am after engineers inspected it and found there was no damage." Engineers will also attend the scene on Saturday to reinspect the bridge.