Crane tears roof off packed bus

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A woman was rescued from the top deck of an Edinburgh bus and taken to hospital with two others after a crane ripped part of the vehicle's roof off.

Firefighters had to use a hydraulic platform to rescue the woman following the incident at the junction of South Charlotte Street and Princes Street.

A Lothian Buses spokesman said "it was a miracle nobody was killed" during Thursday's accident on bus number 12.

The woman sustained leg injuries in the accident, which happened at 0845 GMT.

Eyewitnesses saw part of a large piece of excavation equipment being carried on a low loader hitting the upper section of the bus and gouging a hole about 3m long.

At that time of the morning our buses are always very busy and the service 12 had a full standing load at Haymarket, it's a miracle no one was killed Iain CouparLothian Buses spokesman

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue's senior officer at the scene, Ali Perry, said firefighters had been asked to assist because of the steep and narrow internal stairs of the bus.

The woman was given medical attention by ambulance personnel before being lowered to the ground.

Iain Coupar, Lothian Buses spokesman, said: "This accident could have ended up a lot worse, however with one person injured it is one too many as far as we are concerned.

"At that time of the morning our buses are always very busy and the service 12 had a full standing load at Haymarket, it's a miracle no one was killed.

"The driver was left shaken after the incident and is currently helping the police with their investigations."