Dublin bus crash: Eyewitness describes 'terrifying' scene as President leads tributes to victim

Garda forensic collision investigators at the scene of the bus crash on North Earl St in Dublin city centre on Thursday. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

A witness to the bus crash in Dublin city centre that killed one and left three hospitalised has described her terror as she saw the double-decker coming towards the street as she stood in a nearby shop.

Mother-of-one Edel Carolan was shopping for a birthday present at North Earl St when she heard screams and saw people running “in all directions”. She was in the city with her young daughter when the accident happened.

A man in his 80s died while three others, including the bus driver, were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries after the Bus Éireann vehicle crashed into a pedestrian area near the Spire on O’Connell St.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Carolan said it was by sheer luck that she and her daughter were not caught up in the tragedy.

“I was on my way to exactly where the bus crashed when I had a change of mind and went into a nearby shop.

“I don’t know why, but I wanted to get a birthday card and decided to stop off at a nearby shop instead of going towards Henry St. 

If we had kept walking, we would have been caught up in the crash. I feel so blessed, but God help all those caught up in it.

She said she heard screaming, and when she looked out from the shop, she saw a bus crashing into a crowd of people.

“It was so frightening.” she said. 

“Everyone was screaming and running, and then the emergency services were there, and the Fire Brigade were working under the bus, it was so terrifying.

“The gardaí were everywhere very quickly. It was chaos at first, but I think most people were in shock. 

I am still in shock, and my thoughts are with all those who were involved and the person who died. 

The city centre came to a standstill during the incident when the vehicle was coming up Talbot St at around 12.30pm to take a left on to the one-way system on to Marlborough St.

The bus then crossed over the road and into a pedestrianised area.

Pedestrian Ariana Mulhall said she heard screaming from Talbot St and “people were running everywhere".

“I was coming up Talbot St, and suddenly there was a lot of screaming. 

"I didn’t see exactly what happened, but the next thing, there was a bus up on the pedestrian area. 

"There were people screaming and shocked. It was awful.”

President leads tributes to victim

Bus Éireann confirmed one of its vehicles was involved, but said the vehicle was not in service at the time of the incident.

In a statement on Thursday evening, they said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a fatality has occurred as a result of this incident, and that a number of people have also sustained injuries. 

"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has passed away, as well as with those who have been injured and affected by today’s incident.

They added that they were offering its full support to the relevant authorities as their investigations continue and will provide any additional assistance required.

President Catherine Connolly also offered her condolences to the family of the victim of the accident.

She added:  "May I further thank the emergency services for their swift attendance on the scene and send my best wishes to those injured and wish them a speedy recovery, as well as to all those impacted by today’s event.”