Bus passenger injured as driver '˜forced to brake sharply to avoid pedestrian'

Brighton and Hove Buses said one of its drivers had to brake sharply after a pedestrian stepped out in front of a bus.

But one of the passengers hit her head on a window on the top deck, and was taken to hospital with head injuries.

A spokesperson for the bus company said: “At around 2.12pm today (Wednesday) at the Clock Tower, North Street, one of our drivers on the Route 1 bus towards Whitehawk was forced to brake sharply to avoid a pedestrian who had stepped out in front of the bus.

“A lady travelling on the top deck of the bus hit the bus window headfirst and smashed the glass, sustaining head injuries.

“Our response team and city centre supervisors were on the scene quickly and the lady was taken to hospital in an ambulance.”

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton & Hove Buses, said: “North Street is such a busy area with a lot going on. I’m urging everybody to please take care and make certain it’s safe before crossing the road.

“Luckily, the quick reactions of our driver meant that the pedestrian was unharmed.

“I sincerely wish the lady who was injured a speedy recovery. It must have been a nasty shock for her.”

Bus services travelling eastbound on North Street were diverted while the incident was dealt with, but are now running normally.