Police car and double decker bus in smash

3:58pm Tuesday 28th February 2012 in News

The scene in London Road The scene in London Road

A MARKED police car has been involved in a crash with a double decker bus and a car in London Road, Grays this afternoon.

Police have sealed off London Road between Wharf Road and Eastern Way in both directions.

Long queues of traffic can be seen around London Road as police officers direct drivers away from the scene.

The collision at 1.40pm involved a Essex Police Ford Focus Estate, a Volvo double decker bus and a red Nissan Note.

Two people have been taken to Basildon Hospital with minor injuries.

Comments(50)

SaveOurStanford says...
9:58pm Tue 28 Feb 12

Thurrocks Worst Road !!! Stupid restrictions, Rude Selfish residents parking, Dumb speed bumps, to many bus stops and roadworks !

Report this post »

d_2da_ougle says...
10:28pm Tue 28 Feb 12

gid save their soles if they have been sent to that **** hole hospitial, wish them a speedy recovary but only god knows weather they will come out of bas vegas hospital with arms for legs and legs for arms sorry mr whittle boss but thats the best training i had lol

Report this post »

Mattster says...
11:55pm Tue 28 Feb 12

The problem here is that drivers coming out of Wharf Road dont give way to the traffic heading towards Lakeside. I have had countless near misses simply because these clowns are too stupid or arrogant to obey the rules of the road.

Report this post »

Louiee says...
11:57pm Tue 28 Feb 12

Two incidents within two years involving a police car on this junction. Yes I agree this is a very dangerous road for pedestrians and drivers alike!

Report this post »

Soprano10 says...
12:27am Wed 29 Feb 12

Just wanted too add that I was a passenger on the bus when this accident happened and see all what happened and can categorically say that the police driver was at fault with this accident!

Report this post »

rocket1 says...
6:06am Wed 29 Feb 12

this rd should be shut and all traffic directed to use devonshire rd.

Report this post »

dean4901 says...
7:33am Wed 29 Feb 12

there are to many people in and around grays that do not understand how to drive, that junction is a nightmare for people not giving way, they are to selfish to any other drivers or do not simply understand how to drive in the UK, police cars have a duty and we need them to get wherever they are going as quickly as possible, my thoughts are with everyone, especially the police.

Report this post »

loubear84 says...
8:35am Wed 29 Feb 12

I agree with soprano 10 i live down london road near west thurrock primary school and the speed the police where going at yesterdayand didn't even check the mini roundabout near mine i thought to myself there is going to be a accident. I understand the police have to get to places but a bit of care and attention doesn't go a miss. glad everyone is ok though

Report this post »

chelsea12 says...
9:47am Wed 29 Feb 12

i also was a passenger on the bus....i cannot go into detail what happened as i might have to go to court but what i will say is this....i know the police have a duty but travelling at over 80mph approaching a mini roundabout in a built up area is un acceptable furthermore....they didnt go round the roundabout they went across it....i could go into more detail but as i say i might have to give evidence....but what i will say is...essex police are a law unto thereself.....more to follow at a later date

Report this post »

Bernard 87 says...
10:01am Wed 29 Feb 12

London Road is too chaotic. There are too many roundabouts, too many bumps, not enough parking and too much traffic. While I appreiciate that it is a main road and accidents do happen, more has to be done to improve the road, especially considering it is one of the main approaches into the town centre.

Report this post »

alsation says...
10:32am Wed 29 Feb 12

Mattster wrote:
The problem here is that drivers coming out of Wharf Road dont give way to the traffic heading towards Lakeside. I have had countless near misses simply because these clowns are too stupid or arrogant to obey the rules of the road.
if you look at the road markings and read the highway code, vehicles travelling along london road actually have give way lines marked on the roundabout.

as for the speed of the police car, there is certainly no need for that kind of speed along that road. i am certain that the black box will show just how fast they was going

Report this post »

Mattster says...
12:40pm Wed 29 Feb 12

alsation wrote:
Mattster wrote: The problem here is that drivers coming out of Wharf Road dont give way to the traffic heading towards Lakeside. I have had countless near misses simply because these clowns are too stupid or arrogant to obey the rules of the road.
if you look at the road markings and read the highway code, vehicles travelling along london road actually have give way lines marked on the roundabout. as for the speed of the police car, there is certainly no need for that kind of speed along that road. i am certain that the black box will show just how fast they was going
Of course it has 'Give Way' lines marked, all entrances to roundabouts have them - thats how they work - you 'Give Way' to the right which means you look to your right and if cars are coming you stop and wait for them to pass.

The trouble is that there are plenty of stupid / arrogant / moronic drivers out there that ignore this basic rule.

As for the police car doing 80MPH thats just gossip and hearsay.

Report this post »

chelsea12 says...
1:47pm Wed 29 Feb 12

did you read my comment....I WAS ON THE BUS on the top deck at the front of the bus and belive me the police car was going 80 mph so not gossip or hearsay but FACT!!

Report this post »

Thurrock Lady says...
1:54pm Wed 29 Feb 12

chelsea12 wrote:
did you read my comment....I WAS ON THE BUS on the top deck at the front of the bus and belive me the police car was going 80 mph so not gossip or hearsay but FACT!!
Do you make a habit of traveling on buses equipped with a speed camera?

Report this post »

Mattster says...
1:55pm Wed 29 Feb 12

chelsea12 wrote:
did you read my comment....I WAS ON THE BUS on the top deck at the front of the bus and belive me the police car was going 80 mph so not gossip or hearsay but FACT!!
Get over yourself, you are giving an opinion nothing more - or did you have a speedgun to hand.

Report this post »

woe isme says...
1:59pm Wed 29 Feb 12

WOW. How clever you are if you can see the speedo in a police car from the top deck of a bus.

Report this post »

Soprano10 says...
2:00pm Wed 29 Feb 12

I'll think ur find that in this case the stupid/arrogant/ moronic driver was the police officer that was driving! And considering they have too take specialist driving courses and I think he needs too go back and learn that he also needs too too b more cautious when approaching roundabouts and learn too slow down his speed untill he is satisfied that no accidents are going too b cause...I'm aware that they have too deal with 999 calls and that they need too get there ASAP but not how that police officer went about it!

Report this post »

Poolshark says...
2:02pm Wed 29 Feb 12

With all due respect Chelsea12, you would only see the police car driving faster than all other vehicles, you can only estimate the speed of the vehicle, as you dont have a speed measuring device.
As for the police car, did it have blues and twos going, as I have not read that anywhere. If he was, then there are rules and regs, however on most blue light runs, then the driver should still treat each junction, hazard as every other road user should, basically the driver should still slow down and be prepared to stop, but will often be allowed through before that happens by other wary drivers. To approach that junction at a far higher speed, estimated by Chelsea to be high speed, then the driver could not guess at other drivers intentions, and is therefore wreckless. If another driver was on the roundabout at the time, it could have been far more serious.

Report this post »

chelsea12 says...
2:09pm Wed 29 Feb 12

im not going in to detail as i stated earlier....the facts will come out soon enough.....and as for having a speed gun on the bus....playtime is over what a thing to say.....as you wasnt there your the one giving gossip and hearsay......just be told and stop with your stuipd comments but i will say...the other car was NOT at fault as he was stationary it was the police car at fault...and thats the end of that

Report this post »

Mattster says...
2:12pm Wed 29 Feb 12

chelsea12 wrote:
im not going in to detail as i stated earlier....the facts will come out soon enough.....and as for having a speed gun on the bus....playtime is over what a thing to say.....as you wasnt there your the one giving gossip and hearsay......just be told and stop with your stuipd comments but i will say...the other car was NOT at fault as he was stationary it was the police car at fault...and thats the end of that
Hmm, begining to think that 12 refers to your age - or possibly IQ.

Report this post »

Soprano10 says...
2:18pm Wed 29 Feb 12

Thurrock Lady wrote:
chelsea12 wrote:
did you read my comment....I WAS ON THE BUS on the top deck at the front of the bus and belive me the police car was going 80 mph so not gossip or hearsay but FACT!!
Do you make a habit of traveling on buses equipped with a speed camera?
Thurrock lady...what a childish thing too say I take it u wasn't there well we witnessed the whole thing from start too finish and yes it's only an estimated speed but we know that the police car was travelling at some speed!!!!! And no we didn't need a speed gun too know that!!!!!

Report this post »

Thurrock Lady says...
2:19pm Wed 29 Feb 12

chelsea12 wrote:
im not going in to detail as i stated earlier....the facts will come out soon enough.....and as for having a speed gun on the bus....playtime is over what a thing to say.....as you wasnt there your the one giving gossip and hearsay......just be told and stop with your stuipd comments but i will say...the other car was NOT at fault as he was stationary it was the police car at fault...and thats the end of that
I am not disputing who was at fault here.
Just the fact that you can state the speed of the police car while sitting on the top deck of a bus!

Report this post »

Thurrock Lady says...
2:25pm Wed 29 Feb 12

Soprano10 wrote:
Thurrock Lady wrote:
chelsea12 wrote:
did you read my comment....I WAS ON THE BUS on the top deck at the front of the bus and belive me the police car was going 80 mph so not gossip or hearsay but FACT!!
Do you make a habit of traveling on buses equipped with a speed camera?
Thurrock lady...what a childish thing too say I take it u wasn't there well we witnessed the whole thing from start too finish and yes it's only an estimated speed but we know that the police car was travelling at some speed!!!!! And no we didn't need a speed gun too know that!!!!!
My comments may well be childish but not as childish as commenting on here about the speed of a police car in an accident.
My comments will not be needed in a statement to the authorities whereas chelsea12 may need to give a statement. And her guess of 80mph IS just rumour and hearsay.

Report this post »

Mattster says...
2:32pm Wed 29 Feb 12

I think some of the comments here are coloured by 'previous' experiences with the Police force.

Report this post »

chelsea12 says...
2:34pm Wed 29 Feb 12

isnt assuming a wonderful thing thurrock lady......im male i think you will find its all in the detail too funny

Report this post »

Thurrock Lady says...
2:52pm Wed 29 Feb 12

I assume female, you assume 80mph.
My assumption may be less damaging.

Report this post »

Thurrockbob says...
2:57pm Wed 29 Feb 12

Police drivers on the whole are good drivers as they are trained to a high standard especially pursuit drivers, however there are exceptions to this as in everything. Some of these buffoons think they own the **** road, and if this was one of them I hope the book is thrown at them.

Report this post »

graysmum29 says...
3:18pm Wed 29 Feb 12

SaveOurStanford wrote:
Thurrocks Worst Road !!! Stupid restrictions, Rude Selfish residents parking, Dumb speed bumps, to many bus stops and roadworks !
I agree with others that the road is truly one of the most dangerous in Thurrock. The car sales on the corner of Wharf Road causes a major problem, as you pull out of Wharf Road into London Road, the visibility is very poor because of cars parked on the paved area, you have to nudge out to get a clear view of oncoming traffic. Can the council do anything about this, at least they could erect a mirror.

Report this post »

Bernard 87 says...
4:09pm Wed 29 Feb 12

The road needs re-jigging along the whole length from the Dartford crossing to Grays. Its a small road carrying too much traffic which has been made worse by the council over the years. The Wharf Road junction is one the worst junctions in Thurrock and the stupid layout at the junction with Devonshire Road needs to go. I understand the need to slow traffic down but all those bumps and roundabouts are adding to the danger.

Report this post »

Louiee says...
7:09pm Wed 29 Feb 12

I think it needs to pointed out that not all police officers are required to have passed an advanced driving course to respond to a 'blue light call.' Your average local bobby (which this probably was in a patrol Focus estate) had not done the advanced course. (Yes that is a general assumption considering the regulation requirements)

Report this post »

Dave_ says...
7:23am Thu 1 Mar 12

How this hasn't happened with graver consequensces before now on this stretch of London Road is verging on miraculous.
The narrowing to provide parking spaces for residents and speed bumps, make this more of an obstacle course than a road.
I hope those supposedly in favour of speed bumps and so on in Stanford read this and see the potential for the future.

Report this post »

Bernard 87 says...
9:40am Thu 1 Mar 12

Exactly Dave, theres just too much going on. I think they need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that provides suitable parking as well as a decent main road.

Report this post »

steris says...
7:49pm Thu 1 Mar 12

graysmum29 wrote:
SaveOurStanford wrote:
Thurrocks Worst Road !!! Stupid restrictions, Rude Selfish residents parking, Dumb speed bumps, to many bus stops and roadworks !
I agree with others that the road is truly one of the most dangerous in Thurrock. The car sales on the corner of Wharf Road causes a major problem, as you pull out of Wharf Road into London Road, the visibility is very poor because of cars parked on the paved area, you have to nudge out to get a clear view of oncoming traffic. Can the council do anything about this, at least they could erect a mirror.
You wanna try getting out of Grovelands Way! It is most interesting if we have ice. The bottom of the road is downhill and is never gritted. Many accidents have already happened as cars can't stop and end up going straight across the London Road. There is also a crossing point outside Aldi's and parked cars on the London Road completely blocking your view. You have to look further up the London Road and remember the cars as they come past. Then you grit your teeth, hope and go. Come on Thurrock Council, make this road safe for all!

Report this post »

hugh jars says...
10:06am Fri 2 Mar 12

What a bunch of useless idiots you lot are! Slagging each other off, grammar disgraceful in most of them especially 2 da ougle, moron. Glad I don't live in that carzy anymore. Bomb Thurrock or sink it!!!!!

Report this post »

Roj says...
12:07pm Sun 4 Mar 12

Im just amazed that if the alleged speed was accurate and that he hit a stationary car with people in that its a incredible that only two people suffered minor injuries and damage appeared minimal and we aren't dealing about fatalities!!

Report this post »

Soprano10 says...
2:50pm Sun 4 Mar 12

The damage wasn't minimal as clearly from the foto that has been posted with this article u can't really see the damage too all 3 vehicles...the other car that was involved had no front left too it the police car was a mess but like I say u can't really see what damage had been really done from this foto

Report this post »

Thurrockbob says...
2:58pm Sun 4 Mar 12

hugh jars wrote:
What a bunch of useless idiots you lot are! Slagging each other off, grammar disgraceful in most of them especially 2 da ougle, moron. Glad I don't live in that carzy anymore. Bomb Thurrock or sink it!!!!!
I expect that most people that knew you from round here were devasted when you moved away. Being such a pillar of the community who was intelligent, articulate and a true cognizant human being!

Either that or they held there hands up in valediction and afterwards all celebrated with an enormous party at the leaving of an obtuse, magniloquent, repugnant pranet!

I go for the second one. :o)

Report this post »

d_2da_ougle says...
7:40pm Sun 4 Mar 12

hugh jars wrote:
What a bunch of useless idiots you lot are! Slagging each other off, grammar disgraceful in most of them especially 2 da ougle, moron. Glad I don't live in that carzy anymore. Bomb Thurrock or sink it!!!!!
hugh jars, if your waiting for my comeback, ul have to pick it out of your mums teeth

Report this post »

d_2da_ougle says...
7:43pm Sun 4 Mar 12

i mean how sad at least i made a valid comment about how **** our hospitial is, and all you can do is cry about spelling my face is truely not bothered and as your not from thurrock no more why dont you go and comment on stuff thats relevent to your local area you sad sad man

Report this post »

improving road safety says...
6:04pm Mon 5 Mar 12

What a load of rubbish some people write, if anybody wants to contribute to a wider voice in Thurrock they MUST stick to the facts, Chelsea’s comments saying it’s a fact! That the oncoming Police vehicle was travelling at 80mph is a joke, unless you have the appropriate equipment for measuring speed of oncoming vehicles you would not have this knowledge, you have just made a statement saying it’s a fact is totally unfounded. I also agree 100% with Mattster, the official Highway Code is quite clear regarding who has priority approaching roundabouts.

Report this post »

improving road safety says...
8:43pm Mon 5 Mar 12

I think it is a serious mistake for any witnesses to comment in Public regarding the accidents in London road, if they have been informed that they will be called to court as a witnesse’s!

Report this post »

mustn't grumble says...
6:57am Tue 6 Mar 12

As Soporano10 commented, the damage shown in the photo wont represent the total damage from the accident as you cannot see the whole area. I find comments about the police car travelling at such and such speed without any calibrated speed capturing equipment totally unreliable as would a judge and jury, otherwise the police would do away with the need for trained accident investigators and it would be down to what he said/she said and the man down the pub heard.... Modern cars are designed with soft crumple zones, which absorb energy from impacts and break apart taking that force which would otherwise be transferred through the vehicle to the occupants. This is why most accidents look like carnage, but those involved are lucky enough to walk away with minimal injury. This can happen even at quite low speeds, not necessarily 80mph.

Report this post »

ladyflava77 says...
10:15pm Wed 7 Mar 12

There seems to be an important point that everyone's overlooked here... There's a primary school not too far from where this accident happened. Had this happened an hour later, the injuries could have been far more serious and far more numerous. Everyone driving along this road needs to slow down and pay attention before someone is killed by the reckless actions of a few. The police are supposed to lead by example, but what sort of example are they setting when they not only travel at reckless speeds along roads which were not designed to deal with them, but also overtake a vehicle as large as a bus, on an approach to a roundabout, which also happens to be a blind junction, and have a pedestrian crossing in close proximity?

Report this post »

Mattster says...
9:10am Thu 8 Mar 12

ladyflava77 wrote:
There seems to be an important point that everyone's overlooked here... There's a primary school not too far from where this accident happened. Had this happened an hour later, the injuries could have been far more serious and far more numerous. Everyone driving along this road needs to slow down and pay attention before someone is killed by the reckless actions of a few. The police are supposed to lead by example, but what sort of example are they setting when they not only travel at reckless speeds along roads which were not designed to deal with them, but also overtake a vehicle as large as a bus, on an approach to a roundabout, which also happens to be a blind junction, and have a pedestrian crossing in close proximity?
Can we not wait until the accident is investigated before laying the blame on the police?

Personally i have seen far more examples of dangerous driving at this junction by Jo Public than any Police.

Report this post »

ladyflava77 says...
8:29pm Thu 8 Mar 12

First and foremost, if you read what I wrote carefully, you'll see that I was not in fact laying blame anywhere, but merely pointing out that the police are supposed to lead by example. You can clearly see from the picture above, that the police car was attempting to overtake the bus. He may have been on a blue light call, however, they still have to abide by the laws of the road, and only force through traffic when safe to do so, and anyone who travels along that stretch of road, be it motorist or pedestrian, will know that this simply isn't a safe place to perform such a manoeuvre. Secondly, I stated that EVERYONE who travels along this road needs to slow down. That was a generalisation and in no way aimed specifically at the police!

Report this post »

Mattster says...
9:28am Fri 9 Mar 12

The picture above dosent really show much of any use when it comes to deciding the cause of accident as it was taken once a number of police cars were on the scene after the accident. Accident investigation is a detailed job which cannot be done from your armchair using one picture taken probably about an hour after the crash.

Report this post »

hugh jars says...
10:55am Fri 9 Mar 12

Coppers and accidents, say no more!!!!!!

Report this post »

ladyflava77 says...
11:01am Fri 9 Mar 12

Firstly, don't assume that I am sitting in an armchair, unaware of the circumstances surrounding the accident. The smashed up police car was on the wrong side of the road. Whichever way you look at it, and I have seen several pictures, as well as the actual scene with my own 2 eyes (which, incidentally, were checked by my optician 2 days before this accident occurred, and proven to be as close to perfect sight as you can get) and there is simply no way around that fact. I never laid blame anywhere, and yet you twisted my words to fit what you wanted to interpret from what I said. I spent many years recovering vehicles and coordinating accident investigations, so actually, I also rather resent the implication that I don't know what I am talking about!

Report this post »

Soprano10 says...
2:20pm Fri 9 Mar 12

Ladyflava77 can I just say that the police car didn't attempt too overtake the bus as the police car was coming from the direction of aldi's...and never attempted too stop at the roundabout took out one car and span around hitting the bus...not be sarcastic in anyway but just thought I wld point it out :)

Report this post »

JJBanks says...
7:43pm Fri 9 Mar 12

I'm confused - the police car that crashed is the Focus facing the camera? Surely if the police car 'took out' another car on the roundabout then the front would be smashed up? Or did it spin out before the roundabout?
And oh dear Ladyflava77, it would appear you didn't learn much from all those years of accident investigation...

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree