Roof of double-decker bus ripped off after it crashes into low bridge in Bournville

Witnesses describe 'incredible bang' as bus smashed into railway bridge

No passengers were travelling the bus when its roof was ripped off (Amy Tumney/Facebook)

The roof of a double-decker bus was torn completely off as it smashed into a low railway bridge.

Witnesses described an “incredible bang” as the National Express West Midlands bus crashed into the bridge near Cadbury World in Bournville, Birmingham, cleaving the roof from the upper deck and leaving it lying on the road.

Bournville Lane was left strewn with debris from the double-decker, which was not carrying passengers at the time.

The bus driver, aged in his 30s, was unhurt.

A witness wrote on Facebook: “So a bus just drove under Bournville Lane bridge and took the top clean off... only just stopped shaking, the bang was incredible. Thankfully driver was ok and no passengers on.”

Images showed the bus parked up in front of a row of houses, its roof gone but all the seats seemingly intact.

No passengers were travelling in the bus at the time (@GMorrisWMP/PA)

Another wrote: “There must be easier ways – someone has just driven a double decker bus under the Bournville bridge and completely removed the roof! Now parked outside our house.”

Police, paramedics and the fire service were sent to the scene.

West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Ben Pallante tweeted: “Slightly different end to my shift tonight. We responded to reports of a bus vs bridge in south Birmingham, upon arrival a double decker bus had gone through a bridge

He added: “Thankfully no customers were on board and the driver had no injuries.”

A tweet on the Kings Norton Community Fire Station read: “Double decker v bridge. Bridge wins. Not in service no one hurt. Crews making area safe with @Bournbrookfire.”

National Express said it would investigate how the crash happened.

The bridge carries a warning of its 10ft (three metre) height limit.