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Woman in critical condition after bus swerves into tree
Ben Bailey7 Aug 2009
A woman was left fighting for her life after her car was involved in a crash with a bus in south London.
Ten people were injured in the crash in Croydon yesterday afternoon.
Police said that the woman driving the car was left with “life threatening injuries” after the smash on Addiscombe Road. She was taken by helicopter to the Royal London Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
Both the car and the number 466 bus were both badly damaged after they swerved to avoid each other and both hit trees at the side of the road.
Roads in the area were closed yesterday afternoon as six ambulance crews dealt with the aftermath of the crash.
One man, a 45-year-old, was also taken to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening. The other seven people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus and a car on Addiscombe Road. We sent six ambulance crews, three single responders in cars, two duty officers and the air ambulance to the scene.
"One patient has been taken by air to the Royal London Hospital and a second patient – a 45-year-old man – has been taken as a priority to St George's Hospital. A further seven patients have been taken to Mayday Hospital with minor injuries.”
A Transport for London spokeswoman said: “The road was closed in both directions between Ashburton Road and Shirley roundabout with local diversions in place. We are working closely with the police and the emergency services. There will be a full investigation into this incident.”
Reader views (3)
Melvyn, there is no such thing as a perfectly safe road. This was caused by driver error: The trees did not step in front of the vehicles.
Most accidental deaths occur in the home.
Just a sad story and lets leave it at that.
- Trunk, US, 09/08/2009 21:47
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Makes a change from route 188 in Greenwich where trees seem to crash into passing buses! Goes to show how dangerous it is to have trees at the side of roads.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 09/08/2009 17:17
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it's as I always suspected: see Croydon, and die!
- Drew Byrne, West London, 08/08/2009 00:24
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