Schoolboy says he went into shock as double decker bus slammed into railway bridge in Kilmarnock

A schoolboy has described how he went “into shock” after the double-decker bus he was travelling on had its roof ripped off as it slammed into a bridge in East Ayrshire.

Emergency services were called to the collision on Culzean Crescent, in Kilmarnock, at around 3pm on Thursday.

The 15-year-old, who was on the top deck of the vehicle, described how he felt the bus was going “quite fast” as it turned a corner and approached the low-level railway bridge.

He also confirmed that there was other school children onboard the bus at the time of the crash.

“I’ve had a bit of shock,” he told STV News.

The teenager said the bus “took a different turn than usual” before he saw the bridge come into view

He said: “Any person would know we wouldn’t fit under it. People on the bus were prepared, and it seemed everyone knew what was going to happen.

Four people were taken to hospital. STV News

“It just suddenly slammed into the bridge, and the full roof came off. It was a really long, crashing sound.”

Stagecoach confirmed four people were left injured after the six service, which runs from Kilmarnock Bus Station to New Farm Loch, collided with the bridge.

The teenager, was was on his way home from the gym, said he couldn’t feel any pain, but was left covered in broken glass from the shattered windows.

“There was glass all over me”, he added.

“As I came off the stairs, there was blood all over the handles and a boy getting checked by the paramedics.

“There was around 11 of us on the top deck, all teenagers. I couldn’t see anyone who wasn’t my age.

“I spoke to the police, got checked by the paramedics and phoned my mum who came to get me. Luckily I was alright.”

A double-decker bus has had its roof torn off after crashing into a railway bridge in East Ayrshire. STV News

The incident comes after a double decker bus crashed into a railway bridge in Glasgow in Saturday.

A Stagecoach West Scotland spokesperson said: “We can confirm there has been an incident involving one of our buses in Kilmarnock this afternoon (19/12/24).

“The 6 service, which runs from Kilmarnock Bus Station to New Farm Loch, struck a low bridge. We are aware of two people who were injured and are currently being treated by emergency services.

“Investigations are ongoing and we are working closely with Police Scotland.”