Bus Driver on “Autopilot” Tears Roof Off Double-Decker in Terrifying Bridge Crash, Injuring 15 Passengers
Bus Driver on “Autopilot” Tears Roof Off Double-Decker in Terrifying Bridge Crash, Injuring 15 Passengers
Passengers screamed in terror as a double-decker bus slammed into a low bridge in Greater Manchester, ripping the entire roof from the vehicle and leaving 15 people injured. The driver later admitted he had effectively been operating on “autopilot,” mistakenly believing he was driving a different bus on another route. The shocking crash, which happened in July 2025, has now returned to the spotlight after the driver appeared in court and was sentenced.
Christopher Henry, an experienced bus driver, was behind the wheel of a Bee Network double-decker traveling from the Trafford Centre toward Manchester city center on July 21, 2025. As the bus approached the Bridgewater Canal aqueduct on Barton Lane in Eccles, it struck a bridge that was far too low for the vehicle to pass beneath. The bus stood approximately 13 feet 10 inches tall, while the bridge clearance was just 11 feet 6 inches.
The collision was devastating. The impact tore away the upper section of the bus, exposing the top deck and throwing passengers into a scene of chaos. CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment the vehicle hit the structure, while screams and cries could be heard immediately afterward. One passenger was reportedly ejected from the upper deck, making the incident even more alarming.
A total of 15 people were injured, with three suffering particularly serious injuries. Their wounds included skull and spinal fractures, broken ribs, a broken arm, and severe cuts to the face and head. One 19-year-old woman suffered injuries so serious that she had to interrupt her law degree studies. She later described continuing flashbacks and difficulties with cognition and communication, illustrating how the consequences of the crash extended far beyond the immediate physical injuries.
At Manchester Crown Court, prosecutors explained that Henry had driven a different bus earlier in his shift. He had previously been operating the single-decker Route 52, which traveled along Barton Lane. When he later took the double-decker Route 100, he apparently became confused and drove along the wrong route, seemingly believing he was still behind the wheel of the smaller vehicle.
Even more concerning, the court heard that warning systems repeatedly alerted Henry to the low bridge ahead. He reportedly ignored several warnings and overrode a “bridge alert stop vehicle” message on his ticket machine shortly before the collision. The court was told that he had allowed himself to operate on “autopilot,” failing to recognize that the bus he was driving was different from the one he had operated earlier.
Judge Emma Fisher described the aftermath as “carnage” and the injuries as “catastrophic.” She emphasized that a professional driver transporting members of the public must remain fully attentive at all times. The case highlighted the potentially devastating consequences of overlooking safety warnings, particularly when operating a large vehicle on roads with strict height restrictions.
Henry pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He received a prison sentence of two years and eight months, suspended for two years and six months, and was ordered to complete 300 hours of community service. His defense lawyer said he felt profound remorse over the collision and its consequences. The court also heard that Henry had around 15 years of bus-driving experience and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time.
Although the crash happened more than a year before the court proceedings, its consequences remain deeply troubling for those who were aboard the bus. The incident serves as a stark reminder that a momentary lapse in concentration behind the wheel of a public-service vehicle can change lives in seconds. For the injured passengers, recovery has involved far more than simply walking away from the wreckage.
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