Update issued on boys who plunged from window of double-decker bus

Police and paramedics raced to the scene after the three teenagers fell from the top deck

Three school boys who plunged out of the window of a double-decker bus in a horror incident in Wigan are all said to be recovering from the fall. The teenagers fell from an upstairs side window on Bolton Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene at around 4pm last Wednesday (January 7). Pictures of the 950 service bus at the scene showed a side window on the top deck missing.

The three boys, two aged 13 and one aged 14, were pupils at nearby St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School. They were taken to hospital from the scene as the area was taped off amid the emergency response. Their injuries were described as non life-threatening.

Greater Manchester Police said the vehicle was stationary along Bolton Road when the three schoolboys fell to the pavement. An investigation has been launched. Previously, Andy Burnham said the fall ‘appeared to be linked to some disturbance on the upper deck’.

Headteacher of St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School Mark Dumican, along with Alison Chew, Interim Director of Bus Transport, has now confirmed in a joint statement that three boys are recovering following the incident and that a ‘full investigation’ is being carried involving the school, police and transport body.

The statement also confirmed that the incident was not due to overcrowding on the bus, which has been taken out of service while investigations continue.

“I also know that your key concerns will be with the safety of bus services and the health of the boys who fell out of the window,” a letter to parents and guardians read. “As you will have seen in the press, thankfully none of the boys’ injuries were life-threatening and they have recovered or are recovering from those injuries.

“A full investigation is being carried out, with the school, police, Vision Bus Company and TfGM all involved. The vehicle involved has been taken out of service while this work is completed. It is important to state that this particular incident was not due to overcrowding, as there were enough seats on the top deck of the bus for all students to be sat in their own seat.

“We want to reassure parents that safety remains the highest priority and any findings from the investigation will be used to ensure the continued safe operation of services used by students across Greater Manchester.”

It continues: “St Edmund Arrowsmith does not have responsibility for determining the number of buses, the size of vehicles, or the frequency of services. However, the school plays an important role in sharing information with TfGM and operators, reporting issues raised by students and parents, and supporting good behaviour and safe boarding at the end of the school day.

“TfGM is currently looking at the bus services used by students at St. Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, with particular attention to the afternoon journeys on service 950 where some overcrowding concerns have been raised.

“The work involves monitoring passenger numbers, assessing vehicle allocation and overall capacity, working closely with the operator to ensure services are running as planned, and considering whether any adjustments are needed. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure students can travel safely and confidently.”

Greater Manchester Police did not provide any further updates on the incident.