Tram and bus crash inquiry demanded by councillor

Four people were hurt in the collision involving a bus and tram in Manchester city centre

A head-on collision between a tram and a double-decker bus must be fully investigated, a senior councillor has said.

A Metrolink tram was in collision with a bus near Piccadilly Plaza in Manchester city centre at about 14:15 BST on Friday.

The bus driver suffered serious but not life-changing injuries while three bus passengers received minor injuries in the crash.

"We want a full comprehensive inquiry," Councillor Pat Karney, who is also the local authority's city-centre spokesman, told BBC Radio Manchester. "This is a very rare occurrence and shocks everybody, and we want to make sure it doesn't happen again."

'Standstill'

North West Ambulance Service said three of its crews and an air ambulance's critical care team treated four people at the scene.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said firefighters had used specialist cutting equipment to free one of the injured people from the bus.

The incident led to major disruption on Friday afternoon and evening.

Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street and Shudehill tram stops were closed while the bus station was also shut.

Mr Karney, who has been a Manchester City Councillor since 1979, said: "The whole city centre was brought to a standstill so that's why I'm calling for an inquiry into what went on."

He said any inquiry would be overseen by transport authorities, with involvement from the council.

Tram operators KeolisAmey Metrolink and bus operator Stagecoach have also been assisting investigators.

Incidents involving trams are investigated by the independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

The BBC has approached the RAIB for comment.