A ROAD traffic incident near Exchange Quay Metrolink stop involving a car and tram during the rush hour on Tuesday evening left commuters facing severe delays to their journey home.
The Piccadilly-bound tram struck the side of a black Honda Civic at around 5:15pm on Ordsall Lane as it approached the station, causing services on the Eccles via MediaCityUK line to be suspended for more than an hour.
Greater Manchester Police later confirmed no-one was injured in the collision and the damaged vehicle has now been towed away.
Emergency services were contacted by a passenger, with police and an ambulance quickly attending the scene.
Video footage captured by Dan Wright
Commuters were forced to climb down from the tram after being informed by the driver that the vehicle had crashed into a car.
One passenger on board said: “The tram was just about to cross the Ordsall Lane junction to pull into Exchange Quay before it came to an abrupt stop.
“We were waiting on the tram for several minutes before the driver manually opened the doors and explained we’d been involved in an accident.
“We were then shortly able to detram before witnessing the scene. The driver of the car was sat in the passenger seat and seemed very distraught but unhurt.”
Tram collides with car meters away from Exchange Quay in Salford. 4 police cars & 2 ambulances here. @bbcradiomanc pic.twitter.com/xD7huJSrL5
— Pav B (@pavbeee) February 16, 2016
A statement on the Metrolink website at around 5:30pm read: “Due to a police incident at Exchange Quay, we are currently operating a reduced service.
“Due to a road traffic collision in the Exchange Quay area, the trams are operating between Eccles and MediaCityUK only. There are no services between Piccadilly and MediaCityUK at this time.
“Tickets and passes are being accepted on the buses 50 and 33. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Metrolink tweeted the following message just after 6:30pm:
The trams have resumed service however we shall have delays while we reform you can board a tram.
— Manchester Metrolink (@MCRMetrolink) February 16, 2016
Passengers experienced minor delays on services between Eccles and Piccadilly until around 8pm.
The Exchange Quay incident occurred on the same day that a 51-year-old man was killed when his bike collided with a tram in Wythenshawe.
Martin Hughes, a former soldier and charity shop volunteer, was travelling near to the Robinswood Road Metrolink stop at around 7am.
An ambulance attended the scene but he died a short time later.
By Adam Higgins and Dan Wright
@Higgins_Adam95 @SirDamnWright
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