Key points
- Six hospitalised after buses collided
- South London A205 crash early evening
- Double-decker buses involved head-on
- No fatalities reported minor injuries
- Traffic chaos emergency services responded
South London (The Londoner News) 18 February 2026 – Six people have been taken to hospital following a collision between two double-decker buses on the A205 South Circular in South London this evening. The incident, which occurred around 8:00 PM amid rush-hour traffic, involved two route 54 buses operated by Transport for London (TfL), resulting in minor injuries but significant disruption. Emergency services, including multiple ambulances and fire crews, responded promptly to the scene near the Eltham area, where the vehicles collided side-on after one reportedly swerved to avoid traffic.
TfL has confirmed the crash caused immediate road closures, with diversions in place affecting thousands of commuters. Witnesses described a "loud bang" and chaos as passengers were evacuated. Authorities are investigating the cause, initially pointing to heavy congestion and possible driver error. This event underscores ongoing concerns about bus safety on busy arterial routes in the capital during 2026's peak travel periods.
What caused the South London bus collision?
The collision took place on the A205 South Circular, a notoriously congested route linking Eltham and Mottingham in the London Borough of Greenwich. According to initial reports from the Metropolitan Police, the two double-decker buses both TfL route 54 services running between Eltham and Woolwich came into contact around 8:00 PM on 19 February 2026. One bus, driven by a 45-year-old male operator, appears to have clipped the rear of the second vehicle while navigating stationary traffic, leading to a side-impact crash.
As reported by Sarah Jenkins of MyLondon, eyewitness Paul Thompson, 38, a local resident, stated: “I heard a massive crunch and saw the first bus mount the kerb slightly before slamming into the side of the other. Passengers were screaming, but everyone seemed to get off okay.”
Mr Thompson's account aligns with dashcam footage circulating on social media, showing the lead bus braking sharply amid tailbacks from earlier roadworks.
TfL spokesperson issued an early statement, as quoted by Metro UK: “We are aware of an incident involving two of our route 54 buses on the A205 near Eltham at approximately 20:00. Our emergency response team attended swiftly, and we are supporting those affected.”
The authority emphasised that safety protocols were activated immediately, including passenger disembarkation and vehicle inspections. No mechanical faults have been confirmed yet, but preliminary inquiries suggest congestion played a key role.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) crews from Eltham and Lewisham stations arrived within minutes, using hydraulic cutting equipment as a precaution despite no entrapment reported.
LFB Group Manager Kate Morris told Evening Standard: “Two fire engines were mobilised to the scene where two double-decker buses had collided. The incident was dealt with by London Ambulance Service (LAS) and police, and fire crews have since left.”
This rapid response prevented escalation, though the crash site remained cordoned off for hours.
All six individuals hospitalised sustained minor injuries, primarily cuts, bruises, and whiplash, with no life-threatening conditions reported. The London Ambulance Service treated four passengers and two drivers on site before transferring them to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich and King's College Hospital in Denmark Hill.
What was the emergency response like?
Emergency services mounted a coordinated response, with the first 999 calls logged at 20:02. The Metropolitan Police established a 200-metre exclusion zone, while LFB ensured structural integrity of the 14-tonne vehicles.
Greenwich Council Highways Officer Mark Ellis, speaking to Local London News, noted: “Our traffic management team assisted with diversions via the A20 and A2, clearing the scene by 23:30.”
LAS's deployment of specialist units reflected standard protocol for multi-vehicle RTCs (road traffic collisions).
Witnesses praised the professionalism, with local shopkeeper Raj Patel telling Evening Standard journalist Elena Vasquez: “Ambulances were there in under five minutes. Firefighters helped calm panicking passengers off the buses.”
TfL's incident control centre at Palgrave provided replacement buses within 45 minutes, minimising further delays.
The response highlighted 2026 improvements in London's emergency integration, including real-time data sharing via the Pan-London Collision Dashboard. No secondary incidents occurred, though minor fuel spills required environmental cleanup by council teams.
Why was traffic so disrupted?
The A205 South Circular, a 25-mile loop bypassing central London, is prone to peak-hour gridlock, with average speeds dropping to 12mph in evenings. Roadworks near Mottingham Lane, ongoing since January 2026 for utility upgrades, reduced the route to two lanes, funneling traffic into bottlenecks. TfL data shows a 15% rise in delays on the corridor this year due to post-pandemic commuting surges.
Diversions rerouted route 54 via Eltham High Street and the A20 Sidcup Road, impacting services 132, 161, and B15. National Highways reported tailbacks extending to the Blackwall Tunnel, adding 90 minutes to journeys.
Commuter advocate Sheila Brown of London TravelWatch, quoted in The Guardian, criticised: “This crash exposes chronic underinvestment in outer London bus priority schemes. The South Circular needs dedicated lanes now.”
By midnight, the road reopened, but TfL issued apologies via app notifications and station announcements. Social media erupted with #A205Crash trending locally, sharing photos of mangled barriers and stranded vehicles. Estimated economic cost: £250,000 in lost productivity and cleanup.
Who are the key witnesses speaking out?
Eyewitness accounts provide vivid details.
Local teacher Miriam Costa, interviewed by ITV London’s Anna Patel, recalled: “The first bus was weaving through cars stopped at lights. Then boom it sideswiped the one behind. Glass everywhere, but seats held firm.”
Ms Costa, 52, assisted in evacuating elderly passengers.
Motorist Derek Hughes, 61, whose dashcam captured the moment, told BBC reporter Liam Foster: “Heavy rain started just before, making the road slick. The driver braked hard, but couldn’t stop in time.”
Weather records confirm 5mm of rain fell between 19:30 and 20:30, potentially contributing.
What is TfL saying about the incident?
TfL's full statement, released at 21:45 via their website, reads as attributed by MyLondon’s Sarah Jenkins: “Safety is our top priority. Both buses underwent immediate checks, and services resumed with spares. We are cooperating fully with police inquiries and supporting injured colleagues.”
The operator confirmed no prior issues with the vehicles, both Mercedes-Benz models from 2022.
TfL Commissioner Andy Lord addressed the media indirectly through a spokesperson to The Telegraph: “Incidents like this are rare on our network, with over 2 billion passenger journeys annually. We review all collisions rigorously.”
2026 safety stats show a 5% drop in bus RTCs network-wide, but South London routes lag. TfL pledged an internal probe alongside police.
London's bus fleet logged 1,800 collisions in 2025, down 8% from 2024, per DfT figures. Double-deckers account for 40%, often due to height and weight. The South Circular ranks among top 10 high-risk TfL routes, with 22 incidents since January 2026. Vision Zero targets aim for zero fatalities by 2030, but minor injuries persist. Campaign group 20's Plenty linked the crash to inadequate speed enforcement.
Director Rod King stated to Evening Standard: “20mph zones on radials like A205 prevent such pile-ups. This is a wake-up call.”
TfL's £1.2bn safety investment in 2026 includes AI cameras, yet rollout delays persist.
Comparatively, a January 2026 Peckham bus-pedestrian incident injured three, prompting route reviews. Experts predict rising claims, with average whiplash payout £5,200. Insurers like Aviva noted a 12% uptick in TfL claims this year.
The SCIU will analyse CCTV from 12 nearby cameras, black box data from buses, and witness statements. A report is due within 28 days, potentially recommending charges if negligence found. TfL must notify ORR (Office of Rail and Road) per regulations.
Road Safety Minister Lilian Greenwood commented via Hansard: “We monitor all serious RTCs closely and support local probes.”
Victims can access TfL's no-fault compensation scheme, covering medicals up to £10,000. Public inquiries may follow if patterns emerge. For now, route 54 operates normally, with extra supervisors.