Live updates: Driver trapped and 30 Passengers dies after double decker bus crashed into bridge

A woman has been rushed to hospital with a head injury after a double decker bus smashed into the underside of a bridge in Sussex with thirty passengers aboard.

Dramatic pictures show the vehicle’s roof torn off in the impact that left debris strewn across the road.

The bus was travelling between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill when it crashed at 6:40 am today.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service said the driver and a woman were seen by paramedics following the smash.

A spokesman for the service confirmed the woman was conscious at the scene, and bus operator Metrobus said her injuries were minor.

Paramedics attended the scene after reports a bus had hit the bridge on Rocky Lane, Haywards Heath early this morning.

The ambulance service spokesman said: “A woman was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital with a head injury. The driver of the bus was also assessed and treated but was discharged from our care at the scene.”

Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Darren Taylor tweeted: “The team, along with our fire and ambulance colleagues, have had to attend Rocky Lane this morning as a bus has misjudged the bridge and hit the bridge, damaging its top level.

“Ambulance colleagues are attending to some passengers.

“Please avoid the road at his stage.”

It is not known whether any passengers were travelling on the top deck of the bus when it crashed.

Brighton & Hove and Metrobus Managing Director Martin Harris said: “We are currently investigating the incident, which occurred just before 06:45 this morning on Rocky Lane, Haywards Heath.

“There were five passengers on board the bus at the time and one has sustained a minor injury. The disruption to services in the area was minimal and people should continue to travel as usual.”

Diversions for bus services have been in place and diverting traffic down Rocky Lane locally since earlier this month as roadworks took place on a nearby route.

Mr Harris confirmed that the bus was not travelling on a normal service route when the incident occurred.

He said the diversion, which began on October 17, was part of a 12- week roadworks programme and had been thoroughly risk-assessed as safe beforehand.

Mr Harris said: “The vehicle took a detour from the diversion route. We immediately initiated an internal investigation and we will be taking every possible action to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

The Mirror has approached Sussex Police for comment.