Bus crashes as passenger fights driver

A bus left a trail of destruction, crashing into a dozen parked cars as it sped out of control down a hill today.

The No 34 rolled down a north London residential street after a passenger got into a fight with the driver and released the handbrake. Residents ran out of their homes as they heard the bus smash into their cars.

Witness Mark Hoile, 42, said: "There were about 12 cars smashed up. The bus travelled about 300 yards before it crashed near a pedestrian crossing." The drama happened at 1.40am today, in Oakleigh Road North, Whetstone. The driver was taken to hospital but the extent of his injuries is not known.

Police said a man on board the bus started a fight with the driver, causing the driver to leave his cab. The man is believed to have then released the handbrake.

No one else was injured. Bank worker Mr Hoile said: "A man who had blood on him was kicking out at police and paramedics." A man was arrested at the scene.