Darlington bus crash: Elderly woman killed and several injured after bus crashes into Halifax bank

Witnesses said the bus veered off the road and went into the bank

The scene after a bus crashed into a Halifax bank in Darlington. (Sally Gilyet/PA)

An elderly woman has died after a bus crashed into a bank in Darlington, injuring several people.

The vehicle left the road in Northgate and hit a Halifax bank in the town centre.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said a female pedestrian had died of her injuries. The bus driver, a 52-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Chief Inspector Graham Milne said: “Obviously this is a tragic incident and I would like to extend my condolences to the deceased's family. I would also ask anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the collision to contact us on 101.”

The North East Ambulance Service previously said there were three casualties, one of whom was seriously hurt.

It sent an air ambulance, which landed in a nearby park, three double-crewed ambulancesa hazardous area rapid response team and an officer. Two people were taken to hospital but their injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Pictures posted on social media showed a fire engine and an ambulance at the scene, which was cordoned off by police tape.

A screen was erected between the bus and the bank as passers-by looked on.

John Dodsworth, who arrived at the scene just after the crash, said: “It's all gone crazy in town.

“Someone said a lady was under the bus, that's why the cover is round the side of the bus.”

A witness at the scene told the Northern Echo: “The number 2 bus was parked up on the side of the road and pulled out before going straight into the bank.

“It was absolutely shocking, I'm still shaking now."

Additional reporting by PA