Bus crashes into lorry in Newcastle as eight people rushed to hospital

Bus crashes into lorry in Newcastle as eight people rushed to hospital A collision between a bus and a lorry in Newcastle city centre has seen eight people rushed to hospital with injuries - a police cordon is currently in place Eight people have been rushed to hospital after a bus crashed into a lorry in Newcastle city centre. Emergency services are dealing with the crash, which took place in Westgate Road with a police cordon and a road closure in place. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said that they were called at 10.17am and sent three crews from Byker Community Fire Station and Hebburn Tri Station to the scene. Northumbria Police says that motorists are urged to find alternative routes due to the collision. A spokesperson for the force said: “Just after 10.15am today (Tuesday), we received a report of a two-vehicle collision on Westgate Road in Newcastle. It was reported a bus has collided with a lorry. Emergency services are currently on scene. Motorists are advised to find alternate routes.” North East Ambulance Service confirmed that eight people were taken to hospital. "We were called to a road traffic incident on Westgate Road in Newcastle on Tuesday 21 July at 10:20am," said a spokesperson, reported ChronicleLive. "We dispatched four ambulance crews, one specialist paramedic and one clinical team leader to the incident. Eight patients were taken to RVI hospital for further treatment and a number of people were treated and discharged on scene." And a statement from the fire service read: "We can confirm that earlier this morning, three fire appliances attended an incident in Newcastle city centre. The emergency call was received by our Fire Control Team at 10:17 and three crews were dispatched from Byker Community Fire Station and Hebburn Tri Station to Westgate Road in Newcastle. “The incident was a road traffic collision involving a double-decker bus and a heavy goods vehicle. Our firefighters helped make both vehicles safe and no persons were reported to be trapped. “Blue light colleagues from Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service were also in attendance with paramedics treating a number of people for what are believed to be minor injuries. Crews left the scene at 10:40.” A Stagecoach spokesperson said that the company is assisting police in the investigation. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident. We are aware of a collision involving one of our buses on Westgate Road in Newcastle this morning, and our immediate priority is the welfare of our customers, our driver and everyone else involved," they said. "We are working closely with the emergency services and are assisting the police with their investigation. As this is an ongoing incident, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."