A family in County Durham had a narrow escape on Sunday morning when a single-decker bus crashed into their front garden, destroying a football goal and trees. Claire Read, 41, was getting out of bed at around 9:30am when she heard a loud bang she initially thought was thunder.
Bus crashes into garden where children usually play
The Go North East bus smashed through the garden wall of Claire's home on Hilltop, Stanley, after veering off Chester Road East. The vehicle hit a tree and came to a stop on the driveway. Claire, who lives with her husband Peter and sons Charlie, 13, and Freddie, 9, said: 'When it hit the tree behind the house, it made a horrendous noise and we heard people shouting. Then we just saw a bus on the drive.'
The bus driver is believed to have suffered a medical episode, causing the vehicle to go through traffic lights, hit a traffic island, and enter the property. Claire rushed outside and saw the driver needed help. 'It was genuinely awful, the whole windscreen had come through. I had no shoes on and my husband had to bring them out because of the glass,' she said.
Emergency services respond
Emergency services attended the scene, and the fire service helped remove the driver from the bus. There were approximately 10 passengers on board. A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) said: 'There were concerns that the driver may have suffered a medical episode prior to the collision. One crew from Consett and one crew from High Handenhold attended the incident and worked alongside ambulance and police colleagues, providing assistance at the scene and assessing those involved. The Service left the scene at 11:15 hrs.'
Claire expressed hope for the driver's recovery, saying: 'Hopefully the driver is okay, property can be replaced but lives can't. There's a hell of a lot of damage, but I'm not mad about it, these things happen.' She added that the incident was a shock, especially since her children usually play outside. 'The football goal is completely trashed so it's just the 'what if'.'
Investigation ongoing
ChronicleLive has approached Durham Constabulary, Go North East, and the North East Ambulance Service for comment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but initial reports indicate the driver's medical episode was a key factor.
