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Man dies as bus hits row of homes Man dies as bus hits row of homes
(about 2 hours later)
A 40-year-old man was killed when a bus crashed into a lamppost, a car and a row of houses in the Black Country.A 40-year-old man was killed when a bus crashed into a lamppost, a car and a row of houses in the Black Country.
The bus then caught fire along with two of the terraced homes in Bunns Lane, in the Kates Hill area of Dudley, as the vehicle ruptured a gas supply. The bus then caught fire along with two of the terraced homes in Bunns Lane, in the Kates Hill area of Dudley, after the vehicle ruptured a gas supply.
The driver, in his late 30s, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.The driver, in his late 30s, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Five people had to leave their homes. Resident Mohammed Daud said he was woken up by a bang. Another said he fled his house as the bus approached. Five people had to leave their homes. One said he was woken up by what sounded like a bomb going off. Another fled his house as the bus approached.
We went downstairs and outside and we saw the bus inside the house Mohammed Daud, residentWe went downstairs and outside and we saw the bus inside the house Mohammed Daud, resident
A spokesman for bus company Travel West Midlands confirmed it was carrying out an investigation along with West Midlands Police.A spokesman for bus company Travel West Midlands confirmed it was carrying out an investigation along with West Midlands Police.
Mr Daud told BBC News: "I was just upstairs sleeping when we heard the bang. It was really bad, it was like a bomb. Resident Mohammed Daud told BBC News: "I was just upstairs sleeping when we heard the bang. It was really bad, it was like a bomb.
"We went downstairs and outside and we saw the bus inside the house."We went downstairs and outside and we saw the bus inside the house.
"Luckily we were safe and everybody got out OK which is the main thing.""Luckily we were safe and everybody got out OK which is the main thing."
Paramedics said more lives could have been lostParamedics said more lives could have been lost
The street has been cordoned off while firefighters deal with the fires. The driver managed to escape the vehicle with only cuts and bruises, despite the fact his cab sustained the most damage, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
The main area of damage to the bus was where the driver sits, but he managed to escape the vehicle with only cuts and bruises, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and one resident was treated for shock.He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and one resident was treated for shock.
The spokesman added that there were no passengers on the bus at the time, and reports that a cyclist had also been involved in the incident were unfounded. There were no passengers on the bus at the time, and reports a cyclist had also been involved in the incident were unfounded.
"Whilst this is a tragic incident, the potential for a far more serious one cannot be underestimated. "Whilst this is a tragic incident, the potential for a far more serious one cannot be underestimated," an ambulance spokesman said.
"Given the time of day it is perhaps unusual that the bus was so empty and there was no-one in the house," he said. "Given the time of day it is perhaps unusual that the bus was so empty and there was no-one in the house."
Residents rehoused
One resident said he had repeatedly contacted the council over a problem with buses and other vehicles speeding on the street.
Neighbour Dave Morris said: "Buses regularly come down here at more than 30mph, but nothing is ever done about it.
"I've got two kids, and the cars and buses come down so fast if anything happened they wouldn't stand a chance."
Shaukat Ali, councillor for the St Thomas' ward, said he had not received any complaints about speeding, but added he would support traffic-calming measures if the accident investigation called for them.
A spokesman for Dudley Council said some houses in the terrace were owned by the council and added residents would be temporarily rehoused.