Police investigating whether bus driver 'pressed wrong pedal' in city centre crash tragedy

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Officers investigating the death of a woman who was hit by a double-decker bus at a stop in Manchester city centre are examining whether 'driver error' was to blame.

The woman in her 50s died and two others were injured after a Stagecoach bus crashed into a shelter near Piccadilly Gardens on Sunday night.

An investigation by Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit is now underway. And the Manchester Evening News understands one line of enquiry being pursued is that the driver may have pressed the wrong pedal.

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Emergency services including fire crews and paramedics as well as police officers raced to the scene at around 9:30pm following the horror crash which took place as passengers waited at the stop.

The woman could sadly not be saved. Another woman, also in her 50s, is in a serious condition in hospital. A man in his 60s also received treatment for what police described as 'minor' injuries.

The bus driver remained at the scene and "assisted officers with their enquiries" GMP said. They say their investigation is ongoing and are appealing for anyone who may have dash or helmet cam footage of the crash to come forward.

Stagecoach Manchester confirmed that one of its buses was involved in a 'serious incident'. A spokesman said: “We can confirm that one of our vehicles was involved in a serious incident at a bus shelter at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester around 9.30pm on Sunday evening.

“Our first thoughts are for those affected by the incident and their families. Safety is our absolute priority and we are supporting the investigation into the circumstances involved in any way that we