Isle of Wight double decker bus crash aftermath in photos

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The Southern Vectis double decker, understood to have been operating on route 2’s diversion, left Marshcombe Shute just before 8am and came to rest on its tide in a field between Yarbridge and the Yaverland roundabout.

Four people – three passengers and the driver – were onboard when the bus crashed, but police later confirmed none suffered serious injuries.

Overturned bus after the crash on Marshcombe Shute near Brading (Image: IWCP)

Firefighters were able to stabilise the bus while casualties were checked over by ambulance crews, before leaving the scene at around 9am.

The crash, combined with the ongoing closure of New Road and flooding at Morton Common Road, led to significant congestion across the east of the Island during the morning rush hour.

The double decker bus with all wheels back on the road (Image: IWCP)

A police spokesperson said it was ‘lucky’ there were no serious injuries.

Southern Vectis general manager Richard Tyldsley said the company is working with police as an investigation gets underway, adding that the circumstances behind the incident are currently unclear.

After an initial reopening, Marshcombe Shute was closed again at midday so heavy recovery specialists Stag Lane Motors could begin the complex task of recovering the stranded double decker.

Engineers spent close to an hour preparing the scene before the vehicle was moved, then took around 70 minutes to winch the 12-metre-long bus out of the ditch and gently roll it back onto its wheels.

The County Press broadcast the recovery live on Facebook, capturing the moment cranes and heavy recovery trucks slowly lifted the bus from its side and eased it back onto the carriageway.

By mid-afternoon, the battered but upright vehicle was ready to be towed away, and the road was eventually reopened once debris had been cleared from the scene and made safe.

Southern Vectis is expected to review onboard CCTV and work with police as they piece together how the crash occurred.

The bus was running on a diversion because of the closure of Brading’s New Road, and formal investigations will now look at conditions on Marshcombe Shute, as well as the vehicle itself.