Pedestrians and the driver had a lucky escape when a doubledecker bus collided with scaffolding in Alton town centre on Tuesday. Fortunately, the top deck of the Stagecoach bus was unoccupied when the driver misjudged a right-hand turn and ploughed into the scaffolding above The Tall Ship chip shop in Turk Street at approximately 9-30 am. It is believed the vehicle, whose top windows were completely taken out, was empty as it was returning from Alton College after dropping off students. Eyewitness John Barber said: "There was an enormous crash and the bus crashed into the scaffolding. "It was like a big tearing, rending noise and there was a crash of glass." "I had said to a fellow stallholder earlier that morning that the buses would have to be careful". Pc Drew, who attended the scene, said: "Luckily there were no passengers on the top deck and the driver is fine," "There wasn't anyone on the scaffolding at the time either." Pc Kelly, who also attended, said: "The top windows were all taken out by the scaffolding," "Our main concern now is to get the one-way system open again. We have to check that the scaffolding doesn't poise a potential danger." The area was cordoned off for the public's safety, although the market was still enjoying a roaring trade.
