Woman critical after being struck by bus

A 60-year-old English woman tourist was in a serious condition last night in hospital after being hit by a double decker Dublin bus.

Her companion, a 56-year-old English woman, sustained minor injuries and was kept in hospital overnight for observation.

The accident happened outside Clery’s department store on O’Connell Street at 4.15pm when the 145 Dublin Bus hit the two women who were believed to have travelled from Mayo for a day’s shopping.

A Dublin Bus spokeswoman said the bus had a green light when the accident occurred.

“From initial reports it would appear that two women pedestrians walked out into the path of the bus,” she said.

The southbound lane on O’Connell Street was closed off as a result of the accident and diversions were put in place. The 60-year-old English woman was taken to St James’ Hospital where she was still in a “serious” condition last night, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Her companion, who sustained minor injuries, was being kept in overnight for observation in the Mater Hospital.

Both Dublin Bus and the gardaí are carrying out separate investigations into the accident.

The driver, as well as six passengers, have been interviewed.

Anyone who witnessed the accident can contact gardaí in Store Street on 01-6668000.

This is the second Dublin Bus accident in just under 19 months.

The first accident claimed the lives of five pedestrians when a Dublin Bus mounted the footpath at Wellington Quay on February 21, 2004.

Another accident, involving Bus Éireann in Waterford city last October, resulted in 19 people being injured.