A cyclist is fighting for his life in hospital after being struck by a bus in Manchester city centre, with an eyewitness describing the moment of impact as "really bad".
The male cyclist, whose age is not yet known, was involved in a collision with a bus at the junction of Deansgate and Bridge Street shortly after 12:30pm on Monday, November 2. Emergency services, including police and paramedics, rushed to the scene, and the man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He remains in a critical condition, the Manchester Evening News understands.
Eyewitness account of the collision
A worker at a nearby business told the MEN he heard a "loud bang" before turning around and seeing the cyclist, who he said didn't appear to be wearing a helmet, "sliding along the floor" before coming to a stop close to the Sainsbury's Local store. "He wasn't moving. Straight away I said, 'That's bad, that's really bad'," the witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.
"I didn't go over as there were lots of people who went over to help him," he continued. "There was enough. Some of them were helping to divert the traffic until the police arrived. The police and paramedics were here within a couple of minutes. I have never seen them so fast. They cordoned the whole area off."
The witness said the bus was turning right from Deansgate onto Bridge Street at the time of the collision. A double-decker Bee Network branded bus could be seen parked next to the cordon on Bridge Street this afternoon, whilst a bike could be seen lying on its side inside the cordon next to what appeared to be some items of clothing.
Police and transport response
A large cordon remains in place in the city centre whilst enquiries into the collision continue, with drivers being urged to avoid the area. In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: "We are currently responding to a serious collision on Deansgate, Manchester. Emergency services are in attendance and a cordon is in place at this time. We thank people for their patience as officers and NWAS colleagues continue their work."
A TfGM spokesperson said: "We are aware of a collision between a bus and a cyclist on Bridge Street at the junction with Deansgate in Manchester city centre. Emergency services are on the scene, and Bridge Street remains closed. Diversions are in place for the 8, 67 and 100 Bee Network services until further notice."
In a further update, issued on their website this evening, they said: "This closure is expected to remain in place until the evening. Bus services will be diverted via Quay Street and Chapel Street, and congestion is expected to increase as a result. Please allow more time for your journey and if you are driving, please avoid the area. The following bus services are affected: 8, 35, 36, 37, 38, 67A, 100, V1, V2 and Free Bus 1."
Witnesses describe the aftermath
Two other eyewitnesses also said they saw a man on the ground being treated following the crash. "There was a lot of blood; it looked like a very bad collision," one said. "It's sad," added the other.
"I hope he will be alright," the first witness said of the cyclist. "It was bad, just so obviously bad. I am really sad. It was not a nice thing to see. It is just an awful thing to happen." He said they "see all sorts" being close to the junction but said: "This bad? No. This was really bad."
