One killed, 18 injured in London bus crash

A woman was killed and 18 people were injured yesterday when a double-decker bus hit a tree in central London. The incident on Tower Bridge Road smashed glass in the front windows of the route 188 bus and damaged part of one side.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said she was believed to have been a passer-by and not a passenger.

Nine people were taken to hospital for treatment, four with more serious injuries - three with back injuries and one a head injury.

Paramedics treated a further nine people with minor injuries at the scene.

Emergency services were called just before 9.35 a.m, with the first medical staff arriving within three minutes.