AN elderly woman pedestrian has died and two people have been injured after a bus ploughed into a bank branch in the centre of Darlington.

The driver of the 56-seat Arriva bus, a 52-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has since been bailed pending further investigation.

Emergency services, including the Great North Air Ambulance, were called to the scene just before 11am on Thursday morning after the vehicle crashed into the front of the Halifax Building Society in Northgate.

The Northern Echo: The bus is towed away from Northgate in Darlington

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: "We treated one patient for serious injuries that are not thought to be life threatening and they will be taken to James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough. There are various other people with minor injuries."

Two air ambulances were originally scrambled to the scene but the Cumbrian aircraft was not required. Paramedics treated the injured in nearby North Lodge Park.

Darlington Police Chief Inspector Graham Milne, said: "Obviously this is a tragic incident and I would like to extend my condolences to the deceased's family. I would also ask anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the collision to contact us on 101".

The bus, its windscreen completely smashed, was finally removed from the scene at about 6.30pm.

Darlington resident Fiona Turnbull was in the bank when the bus came crashing through the window and was within inches of being hit by it.

Still physically shaking after suffering a panic attack, Ms Turnbull told The Northern Echo: “There was a lady inside who’d asked me something so I turned around; if it hadn’t have been for that then I would have stepped out and that would have been it for me.

“We both jumped backwards and I heard the screams, then I looked and saw the bus coming.

“I fell back on the step and I was frozen, it was inches from me.

“I will see that bus coming towards me for a long time.”

Another witness at the scene said: “The number 2 bus was parked up on the side of the road and pulled out before going straight into the bank.

“It was absolutely shocking, I’m still shaking now.

“That person was just out doing a bit of shopping and now they’re dead.

“I don’t know if anyone in the bank was hurt, most of them were out and were taken into Boots.

“Everyone on the bus is giving statements.

“It was so horrible.

“The driver was sat close by and has been talking to the police.

“My son and I were so lucky – we were using the cash machine just seconds before but I’d forgotten my card so left – if I hadn’t left it at home, I’d still have been there when it happened.”

A town centre shop worker, who did not wish to be named, said she had popped out for an early lunch only to be greeted by sirens and the air ambulance arriving overhead.

She said: “The ladies in Greggs said they heard a real big bang and the place shook; it went through the window of the bank apparently.

“It’s awful, you think of everyone you know in the town centre and you hope it isn’t them.”

A statement from Arriva said: "We can confirm that an Arriva bus (Service 2 from Branksome to Red Hall) has been involved in an accident today in Northgate, Darlington. An investigation has been launched and we are cooperating fully with the emergency services and the police who are leading the investigation.

"Our thoughts are with the families of those involved. We know there will be people concerned about family or friends, and to support we have set up a dedicated emergency telephone number which is 0191 520 4165.”