Four have been left injured following a collision between a tram and a bus in central Manchester today.
A large presence of emergency services was seen in and around Piccadilly Gardens on Friday, as an air ambulance landed in the large square.
The head-on crash involved a Stagecoach operated Magic Bus and one of the city’s yellow Metrolink trams.
Firefighters were seen freeing a person trapped in the badly damaged double decker bus.
Meanwhile parts of the city were brought to a standstill after shops were cordoned off following the smash on Mosley Street.
Four were left injured after a tram collided with a double decker bus in Manchester City Centre
Firefighters rescued at least one person from the wrecked double decker bus
Emergency services descended on the square following the serious collision this evening
An air ambulance was spotted landing near the incident in Piccadilly Gardens
Trams were suspended in Piccadilly Gardens, with the area closed to all road traffic.
Metrolink services will also not serve at Market Street and Shudehill, TfGM confirmed.
Fran Wilkinson, its customer and growth director, said: ‘This is a serious incident which is currently ongoing. Our staff are continuing to support emergency services at the scene, while also assisting members of the public.
‘Piccadilly Gardens will be closed for some time, and we are expecting bus and Metrolink services to be impacted throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
‘If you are already in the city centre, or are planning a journey into the centre, please check our website or social channels for the latest advice before you travel.’
The transport authority added that it expected disruption would continue into the evening and could affect tonight’s Peter Kay concert at the AO Arena.
A birds eye view of the air ambulance which arrived on the scene following the serious incident
Firefighters, ambulance and police were all on the scene at Mosley Street, which was cordoned off on Friday afternoon
In a statement earlier this afternoon, the North West Ambulance Service said it was treating four people with injuries.
It said: ‘We’re responding to an RTC at Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, following a 999 call at 2.13pm.
‘Three ambulance crews, a consultant paramedic, a senior paramedic, a critical care team in an air ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team have all attended. Four patients are being treated, one with suspected serious injuries.’
In a message on its X page, Stagecoach Manchester said: ‘Due to a Major incident in Piccadilly Gardens, the bus station is closed. All services using the the parker street station will use Chorlton Street until further notice.’
Greater Manchester Police said it wouldn’t comment further on the issue which it said was a matter for TfGM.
