Double-decker bus that hit Cork railway bridge removed from scene

A Bus Éireann bus being driven away after it collided with the crash rail at a railway bridge at Dublin Hill, Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane.

A double-decker bus that crashed into a railway bridge in Cork has been removed from the scene.

The Bus Éireann vehicle was heading towards Blackpool when it struck a railway bridge in the Dublin Hill area, around 9:10am on Monday morning.

A spokesperson from Bus Éireann has confirmed that there were no passengers on board, only the driver, who is currently being medically assessed.

The bus reversed out from under the bridge and drove away unaided by a recovery vehicle.

An earlier statement said: "Bus Éireann can confirm that one of its city double deck vehicles struck a railway bridge at Dublin Hill in Cork city shortly after 9am this morning. 

"The bus was not in service, so there were no passengers on board. Emergency services attended and the driver is currently being medically assessed.

"As a result, there is a minor diversion to route 207A between Glenthorn and Merchants Quay which will not serve Dublin Hill or Blackpool village until the road reopens. 

"Irish Rail services will continue to operate as normal. The recovery of the vehicle will take some time and we are grateful for the assistance of the emergency services.

"Bus Éireann will carry out a full investigation into this incident."

The Bus Éireann vehicle was heading towards Blackpool when it struck a railway bridge in the Dublin Hill area, around 9am on Monday morning.

"The 207 route does not travel this way. The vehicle was however out of service," the spokesperson added.

According to gardaí, no injuries have been reported but emergency services are at the scene. The road is currently closed and local diversions are in place.

Earlier, Iarnród Éireann confirmed that the 7am Dublin Heuston train to Cork was delayed "due to a vehicle hitting a bridge at Dublin Hill".

The 9:25am Cork to Dublin Heuston train also departed the station 30 minutes behind schedule but according to the transport company, "the bridge was inspected by our engineers and there was no structural damage, so services were safe to resume."

In response to the incident, Cork City Councillor, Kenneth O’Flynn, has called on the City Council and Irish Rail to "take swift action to address ongoing safety concerns related to the railway bridge at Dublin Hill, before someone gets seriously injured."

In a statement he said: "Despite previous efforts to resolve the problem, the situation has become untenable, with regular accidents and damage causing chaos in the area. The most recent incident involving a double-decker bus has demonstrated just how dangerous the situation has become."