A family in County Durham had a startling encounter when a bus crashed into their front garden, prompting a quick response from a woman and her husband to aid the driver in need.
Claire Read, 41, was just waking up around 9:30 am on Sunday when she mistook the loud noise for thunder. She discovered that a single-decker bus from Go North East had plowed through the wall of their home on Hilltop in Stanley, causing damage to trees and the football goal where her sons often played.
Upon hearing shouts outside, Claire and her husband, Peter, rushed to the scene and realized the driver required assistance. The bus, carrying around ten passengers, had reportedly gone off course on Chester Road East, passing through traffic lights and hitting a traffic island before crashing into the family’s property.
Describing the incident, Claire shared with ChronicleLive, “I heard a bang and thought it was thunder. The noise was horrendous as the bus hit the tree, and soon we saw it on our driveway.” She added, “The driver seemed to have a medical issue as the bus went through the traffic lights and onto our property.”
Emergency services arrived promptly, with firefighters aiding in extracting the driver from the bus. One individual was transported to University Hospital North Durham, although official confirmation of their identity is pending.
Despite the significant damage to their home, Claire expressed her primary concern for all those involved, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of lives over property. Reflecting on the morning’s events, she acknowledged the shock and stress but maintained a perspective of gratitude for the safety of her family.
A spokesperson from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service reported that they responded to the collision involving the bus, which had veered off the A693 in Stanley possibly due to the driver’s medical condition. Collaborating with ambulance and police teams, the firefighters provided assistance and assessments before concluding their operation at 11:15 am.