A bus driver was on “autopilot” before crashing into a railway bridge and injuring 15 people, a court heard, as he was given a suspended prison sentence.
Three people were seriously injured when the double-decker bus struck a low bridge on Barton Lane in Eccles in July 2025, tearing off its roof.
One victim suffered a fractured skull and several others were hurt after being ejected from the top deck.
Christopher Henry was sentenced to two years and eight months, suspended for two-and-a-half years, after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Manchester Crown Court heard Henry ignored several low bridge warnings after taking a wrong turn while driving the 100 service between the Trafford Centre and Manchester city centre.
The court heard the experienced driver appeared to be driving on “autopilot” after earlier operating the single-decker 52 service, which uses Barton Lane, and may have believed he was still on that route.