Bus crashes into building in east London as paramedics treat ‘a number of patients’ on the scene 

CCTV has captured a double-decker bus carrying ‘scared and crying’ school pupils narrowly avoiding a woman on a zebra crossing just moments before the vehicle crashed into a shop in north-east London – injuring three children and two adults.

Police were called at around 8.20am to Selwyn Avenue in Highams Park where the 212 bus – which runs between Chingford and St James Street – had collided with a white goods store. 

Medics from the London Ambulance service including a trauma team from the Air Ambulance were assessing and treating 19 patients at the scene, and five people – three children and two adults – were taken to hospital.   

A young girl, thought to be aged 11 or 12, was said to have suffered ‘severe injuries’ after falling from the top of the stairs when a double-decker bus packed with schoolkids crashed into a brick wall beside On Appliances, a white goods shop.  

Eyewitnesses claim they believe the driver ‘blacked out’ shortly before the bus crossed an island in the road and smashed into the shop at about 8.11am, and the driver of the bus had to be cut free from the wreckage. 

The driver is believed to be one of those taken to hospital. 

CCTV footage has captured the bus nearly hitting a woman as she crossed the road outside The Corner Café on The Broadway moments before the crash.

The clip, shared by café owner Eric Garip, 38, showed a pedestrian running to escape the path of the vehicle as it ploughed across a zebra crossing.

Police were called at around 8.20am to Selwyn Avenue in Highams Park where the vehicle had collided with the building

CCTV footage has captured the bus nearly hitting a woman as she crossed the road outside The Corner Café on The Broadway moments before the crash

The clip, shared by café owner Eric Garip, 38, showed a pedestrian running to escape the path of the vehicle as it ploughed across a zebra crossing

Medics from the London Ambulance service including a trauma team from the Air Ambulance were treating a number of patients at the scene

Emergency services at the scene on The Broadway in Highams Park, east London

Eric Garip, 38, said he rushed out of The Corner Café after hearing a ‘big bang’ on the opposite side of the road and began trying to carry people out through the emergency door of the bus

Waitress Tina Hogan, 58, said the woman had entered the Corner Cafe on The Broadway moments later ‘in an awful shock’.

Ms Hogan said: ‘She was saying ‘Oh my god, he nearly ran me over. I can’t believe it. I had to run out of his way.’

‘She was in an awful shock. I gave her a glass of water. She left after that.’

Witness Katriye Osman, 54, who runs Flicks hairdressers nearby, said: ‘The crash was so loud, it was unreal. It was like something out of a film, hearing a bang or an explosion. 

‘I think I was the first person to call 999 so they wanted me to stay on the line with them until [emergency services] arrived. They did say they wanted me to have a look but I saw other people go in and help.’

She said the bus was full of kids going to Highams Park School, which is nearby. 

The owner of a local café who helped with rescue efforts said a number of schoolchildren were among the injured passengers found ‘scared and crying’ inside the bus.

Emergency services at the scene on The Broadway in Highams Park, east London, where a number of people are being treated by paramedics

A number of people are being treated by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service after a bus collided with a building

Eric Garip said he rushed out of The Corner Café after hearing a ‘big bang’ on the opposite side of the road and began trying to carry people out through the emergency door of the bus.

‘There were a couple of kids on the floor,’ he said. ‘We were trying to take the kids out and they were panicking. I spoke to the driver and said to come out, he said: ”I can’t, I’m stuck”.’

Mr Garip said he believed the driver of the vehicle was eventually rescued by emergency services after becoming ‘squashed’ behind the steering wheel.

Mr Garip added: ‘Some parents were in the bus as well, crying. I tried to calm them but it was a big shock. We went upstairs and told the kids to come out but one was on the stairs so (we) were lifting them.

‘It was very bad. They were all scared and crying.’

An LAS spokesman said: ‘We sent a number of resources to the scene of this incident in Highams Park this morning.

‘Working with our emergency service colleagues we treated and assessed 19 people at the scene. Of those 19, we took five people to hospital: three children and two adults.’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said his thoughts were with those affected by the ‘terrible’ incident. 

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said his thoughts were with those affected by the ‘terrible’ incident

Police were called at around 8.20am to Highams Park where a double decker bus had collided with the building (pictured: The Broadway, Highams Park) 

He tweeted: ‘I’ve received reports this morning of a bus crashing into a building in Highams Park in Waltham Forest. Emergency services are currently on the scene-we will share more information as soon as we have it. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this terrible incident.’ 

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘At approximately 8.20am on Tuesday January 25 police were called to reports of a bus in collision with a shop in Selwyn Avenue, E4.

‘Officers and London Ambulance Service are on scene.

‘A number of people have reported suffering injuries and are being treated at the scene.

‘Road closures remain in place around the junction of Selwyn Avenue and Winchester Road.

‘Inquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.’

The LAS said on Twitter: ‘We are on-scene and are treating a number of patients at an incident on The Broadway in Highams Park, E4, where a bus has collided with a building. 

‘Crews are working closely with partner agencies and we will share more information when we can.’