A DOUBLE-decker bus has lost its top this afternoon as it collided with Chapel Hill bridge.

The number 2 Stagecoach bus, which had two passengers on board at the time of the crash, was heading towards town from Baughurst when the top half of the vehicle was torn away when it smashed into the bridge.

Police were called to the scene at 1.47pm and are still currently on the site of the collision dealing with the incident.

The two passengers suffered no injuries.

Passersby and shoppers gave their reaction to the crash.

Claire Sinclair, of Brookvale said: “I just came out of Sainsbury’s and saw a crowd of people so went to have a look and there was this bus with its roof missing.

“I just hope no-one was hurt.”

Another onlooker speculated: “I think the driver must have miss judged their approach to the bridge and well you can see exactly what happened.”

The roof of the double-decker was ripped clean off blocking Kingsclere Road, with shattered glass covering both sides of the road.

Police closed the road near Chapel Hill Bridge in both directions while a recovery team dealt with the clean-up.

Another passer-by added: “My mum phoned me asking if I knew what was going on in town, and at that point I didn’t have a clue.

“I was heading towards the station when I saw people gathered near the bridge and you could just see the roof in the middle of the road.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: "We can confirm that a Stagecoach bus was involved in an incident shortly before 2pm this afternoon. It took place on Chapel Hill in the direction of the town centre, near to Basingstoke railway station.

"There were two passengers and a driver on board at the time and no one was injured.

"Safety is our absolute priority and we are assisting police with their inquiries as well as carrying out our own investigation into the incident."