A TEENAGE driver whose car smashed into a bus on a bridge died in what could have become a disaster on a railway line below.

The double-decker bus smashed through a wall on its nearside spraying bricks into the path of an approaching train.

The bus was left hanging from the bridge, in Anerley Road, Penge, and the train, on its way to Streatham Hill, hit the debris. To avoid leaving the tracks, the driver performed an emergency stop.

An 18-year-old amn who was driving a black VW Golf, died instantly. His car collided head-on with the 432 bus, seconds after it pulled away from a bus stop, at 8.45pm, on Friday.

The teenager, thought to be from New Addington, was travelling with three male passengers, including two 16-year-olds.

Two were taken by ambulance to King’s College Hospital and one to Lewisham Hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.

Sgt Robin Merrett, from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: “There were no passengers on the train and only one passenger on the bus and, in that respect, things could have been a lot worse."

* Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8285 1574.

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