Five people in hospital after McGill's bus crashes into Paisley flats

Mercy crews arrived at the scene of the collision at the Hamilton Court flats in the Renfrewshire town which was sealed off as a major investigation got underway. 

Police, ambulance and fire were called to the area in Calside around 12.20pm on Wednesday and images from the scene showed a McGill's bus crashed which had into the 15-storey residential block of flats. 

The building is council-owned and the local authority is working with the emergency services with the Housing Investment team on site. No-one has been evacuated. 

It is the second time a vehicle has crashed into the building in recent years. 

We previously reported that a navy Audi crashed through the high-rise at 10.45pm on the night of August 18, 2022. 

Two people were injured in that incident. A 26-year-old man was charged with road traffic offences. 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue service dispatched specialist units with one major incident unit at the scene while the Scottish Ambulance Service sent trauma teams.

No details of the people injured have been released by the emergency services at this stage.

However, it was revealed three people were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and two were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. 

Ian Ward, 71, who lives in neighbouring Calside Court, said: "I heard the crash just after lunchtime when I was in my flat. 

"I heard two double bangs and looked through the window, and could see blue lights."

He added: "A black Audi crashed into the block about 14 months ago. It went right through the laundrette.

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A number of roads are closed in Paisley's Calside after a bus crashed into a block of flats. Full story, link in bio. #paisley #buscrash #mcgills #glasgow #scottish #police #fire #ambulance

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A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Emergency services are in attendance following a report of a crash involving a bus on Calside, Paisley which happened around 12.20pm on Wednesday, March 13. 

"Five people have been taken to hospital for treatment and enquiries are ongoing.
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"A number of road closures are in place including Calside Avenue, Polsons Crescent, Craw Road and Alexandra Gate.

"Drivers are asked to avoid the area."

A spokesperson for McGill’s Buses said: “At approximately 12.25pm today, one of one vehicles crashed into a block of flats in Calside, Paisley.

“Five people, one of whom was the driver, were taken to hospital by ambulance crews and our immediate thoughts and concerns are with them at this time.

“At this stage it is too early to know what caused the accident but McGill’s personnel have been in attendance and are working with police on the post-incident investigation and will continue to do so in the days ahead.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We received a call at 12.25pm to attend an incident in Calside, Paisley.

"A range of resources including ambulances, special operations response teams, a trauma team and a critical care paramedic were dispatched to the scene.

"Three patients were transported to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and two patients were transported to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 12.22pm on Wednesday, March 13 to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus at Hamilton Court, in Stock Street, Paisley.

“Operations control mobilised three appliances and special resource to the scene, where multiple casualties were handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”