A woman pedestrian was killed when a double decker bus crashed into a tree in central London.
A pedestrian was killed when a double decker bus crashed into a tree in central London.
Eighteen other people have been injured, four of them seriously, in the collision which happened on Tower Bridge Road at about 0945 BST.
Eighteen other people have been injured, four of them seriously, in the collision which happened on Tower Bridge Road at about 0945 BST.
The incident happened near the junction with Tanner Street as the bus travelled on the 188 route, which runs between Russell Square and North Greenwich.
The incident happened near the junction with Tanner Street as the bus travelled on the 188 route, which runs between Russell Square and North Greenwich.
Police said officers were currently speaking to the driver of the bus.
Police said officers were currently speaking to the driver of the bus.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said its crews treated 18 people and four people with serious injuries were taken to hospital.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said its crews treated 18 people.
He added they have suffered neck and back injuries.
Nine people were taken to hospital, four of whom had suffered serious head and neck injuries.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "One woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "One woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
"She has yet to be identified and next of kin informed. She is believed to have been a passer-by and not a passenger on the bus."
"She has yet to be identified and next of kin informed. She is believed to have been a passer-by and not a passenger on the bus."
Transport for London (TfL) said it had launched a full investigation into the crash.
Transport for London (TfL) said it had launched a full investigation into the crash.
It said the bus was travelling north, out of central London to North Greenwich.
It said the bus was travelling out of central London to North Greenwich.
Emlyn Exon, of Anderson Travel coach hire in Tower Bridge Road, said the top deck of the bus had "pretty much caved in" at the front.
One eyewitness said the collision was caused by a large tree branch smashed into the double-decker.
And Trevor Harris, web designer at Action Plus Photographic Sports Agency, which is a short distance from the scene, said: "It looked like there were some windows smashed and branches on the road."
Builder Tom Riley, 32, said: "I was coming out of the van and heard a crack.
"It was as if the tree was just falling and was slowing the bus down. The driver was trying to stop the bus. I do not think the bus driver hit [the tree]."
He said that people rushed to help, unaware if anyone was injured.
It was only after getting close to the bus that they noticed someone under the tree, who had suffered head injuries, Mr Riley said.
People were running out of the bus panicking Eye witness Charlie Fayinka
People were running out of the bus panicking Eye witness Charlie Fayinka
Charlie Fayinka, 28, who works nearby, said he saw the bus driver fainting shortly after the crash.
Charlie Fayinka, 28, who works nearby, said he saw the bus driver fainting shortly after the crash.
"I was outside about a minute after it happened," he said.
"I was outside about a minute after it happened," he said.
"People were running out of the bus panicking and I saw a man with an injury to his leg.
"People were running out of the bus panicking and I saw a man with an injury to his leg.
"The whole front of the bus is completely wrecked. The top windows are all broken completely."
"There was also an incident where the bus driver fainted. I think it was due to shock."
Tower Bridge Road and several other roads in the vicinity are closed and motorists are urged to avoid the area.
Tower Bridge Road and several other roads in the vicinity are closed and motorists are urged to avoid the area.
Bus routes 1, 42 and 188 have been diverted.
Bus routes 1, 42 and 188 have been diverted.
The 188 is operated by the Travel London company which operates more than 30 bus routes in the London area.
The 188 is operated by the Travel London company which operates more than 30 bus routes in the London area.
A spokeswoman for transport company National Express, which is Travel London's parent company, said: "We have people on the scene who are working with the police to try to establish why this accident happened."
A spokeswoman for National Express, Travel London's parent company, said: "We have people on the scene who are working with the police to try to establish why this accident happened."
Are you in the area? Were you on the bus? Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124:
Are you in the area? Were you on the bus? Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124:
