The force has issued a major update
14:55, 08 Jan 2026Updated 16:44, 08 Jan 2026
Police and forensic officers attend the scene involving a bus and three school children
Three teenagers who fell from a double decker bus plummeted from an upstairs side window, it has emerged. The boys, two aged 13 and one 14, remain in hospital, but are not thought to be in a life-threatening condition following the fall in Wigan yesterday afternoon (January 7).
Police launched an investigation as emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called to the scene on Bolton Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield just before 4pm. Pictures of the 950 service bus appear to show a side window on the top deck missing.
A GMP spokesperson said: “Following on from the incident where three children have fallen from a bus in Ashton-in-Makerfield on 7 January, we can confirm that they are still in hospital but not thought to be in a life-threatening condition.
“The bus was stationary on Bolton Road when the three children, two aged 13 and one aged 14, fell at around 3.50pm.”
(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The three boys were pupils at nearby St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School. In a letter to parents today, which has been shared with the Manchester Evening News headteacher Mark Dumican wrote: “You may have seen reports in the media and social media about an incident where three boys fell through a window on the top deck of a bus on the way home from school on Bolton Road yesterday. The pupils attend our school, and we are in contact with the families to offer our support.
“We are also offering support to those pupils in school today who witnessed the incident and would like the opportunity to speak about it. Contrary to some reports, there are no life-threatening injuries, and all three boys have been assessed in hospital.
Officers at the scene
“We are working with the police and with Vision Bus Company to determine the circumstances that led to this incident. Could all parents please reinforce our message in school that pupils must sit in a seat for their journey if they choose to use the top deck of a bus.
“Thank you for your continued support, which is always greatly appreciated.”
Earlier today Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the fall ‘appeared to be linked to some disturbance on the upper deck’. He added: “It does sound like a serious incident.
“Our concern is with the young people and with their families. It was not a Bee Network branded service, I have to say.
“It would appear it was linked to some disturbance on the upper deck. I do not think there are any life-threatening injuries but there were some serious injuries.”
A spokesperson for Bolton-based Vision Bus said the company was ‘completing an investigation and helping the police with their inquiries’.