Gillygate shut due to crash - emergency services on scene

A main road in York city centre is closed due to a crash.

Emergency services are on the scene in Gillygate this morning (Friday, October 18).

The incident appears to have involved a works van and a First electric bus. The bus window was smashed in the impact.

The scene at the junction on Bootham and Gillygate this morning (Image: Staff)

The road has been closed to traffic between Lord Mayor’s Walk and Bootham, North Yorkshire Police said.

A force spokesperson added: “Please avoid and follow diversions until further notice.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was also at the scene.

The van involved in the crash is understood to belong to Simon Baynes Wholesale.

A company spokesperson wrote on Facebook: "Just a quick update, a bus has hit us head on in Gillygate this morning, drivers are ok, just waiting for recovery to bring the van back to depot, problem is it’s full of orders so they might be slightly late this morning, sorry for the inconvenience."

Gillygate resident Sean Atkinson told The Press he heard the crash from his flat.

"I was in my flat at about 6am, I heard this almighty crash," he said. "I looked out my window and saw the crash and two vans."

A man was lying on the floor after being knocked off his bicycle but later got up and seemed uninjured, Mr Atkinson said.

Passengers were on the bus, he added.

Mr Atkinson said he spoke to the driver afterwards and he seemed uninjured. 

"I made the bus driver a cup of tea," he said.

More to follow.