Double decker bus crashes through sea wall after driver parks it at Waterford tourist spot

The crash sent a section of wall tumbling onto the strand below. Picture: Christy Parker

A ‘runaway’ Bus Éireann double decker has badly damaged a sea wall in a popular tourist spot in Co Waterford after it rolled from its parking spot across a public road.

The incident happened in Ardmore some time after the driver had parked the vehicle in a small park near the local church at about 9.45am on Wednesday.

There were no passengers on board the bus at the time and no injuries reported. Picture: Christy Parker

The bus, part of the 260 service which serves the Cork-Ardmore route, was facing the sea front when it descended a couple of metres onto the road, crashed through a large, stone flower pot, mounted the opposite footpath, knocked over a signpost and sent a section of wall tumbling onto the strand below.

The impact smashed the vehicle's windscreen and left the front of the bus protruding over a two-metre drop above the beach.

Gardaí and the Ardmore fire service were quickly on the scene and Waterford City and County Council workers later cordoned it off. 

There were no passengers on board the bus at the time and no injuries reported.

The bus was left protruding over a two-metre drop above the beach in Ardmore. Picture: Christy Parker

Local man Tommy Mooney said the spot where the bus crashed, opposite the church, was a popular focal point for walkers and church attendees. 

“The main thing is nobody was hurt,” he said. In an ironic twist, he revealed that his great-great-grandfather, Jeremiah Foley, had helped build the wall as a member of the Board of Guardians in the mid-1860s.

Waterford City and County Council workers have cordoned off the scene.  Picture: Christy Parker

Another local woman, who didn't wish to be named, said she would normally have parked her car at that spot while attending daily Mass. “But this time I was running a bit late,” she said with relief.

In a statement, Bus Éireann said “no injuries have been reported” and that “Bus Éireann are investigating how this incident occurred, as per standard procedure”.