Stolen bus leaves trail of chaos and destruction writing off six cars

The peace was shattered as six cars were smashed up and a woman suffered whiplash injuries when the bus hit her vehicle just as she was parking.

The single-decker bus had been stolen from Stagecoach's depot in Chichester, West Sussex.

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A man was seen running away from the bus, after it had crashed into the car park of an old people's day centre.

The police were besieged with calls by startled onlookers in Adelaide Rise, long deemed too narrow for use as a bus route.

Some cars escaped with only scrape marks, while others were pushed up onto the pavement and into front gardens.

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Three cars were taken away by police to be examined.

Sgt Stewart Gordon, of Sussex Police, said: "A bus was stolen from the Stagecoach depot in Chichester at some point this week, we don't know when.

"The bus then collided with a number of vehicles in Adelaide Rise yesterday afternoon.

"Police received numerous phone calls from concerned residents, as the bus had collided with six vehicles.

"One car had someone in it. A young lady had a minor injury - probably whiplash - and was taken to hospital and released shortly afterwards.

"One person, a male, was seen running away from the bus after it had crashed into an old people's centre at the end of Adelaide Rise.

"It caused some damage to the car park and awning but the centre was shut for Christmas Day.

"Sussex police have an on-going enquiry into this incident.

"Three cars were taken away by the police, and the other three remain in situ.

"We are still looking for the man seen running away, and if anyone has any information they should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999."