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Storm Ciaran blows out bus windscreens in Capel-Le-Ferne

Two buses were abandoned after ferocious winds from Storm Ciaran blew out their front windows.

Passengers and drivers were evacuated from the Stagecoach vehicles in Capel-le-Ferne, between Dover and Folkestone, at around 8am this morning.

Two buses on the Capel Road, heading towards Folkestone, lost their upper and lower windscreens. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Two buses on the Capel Road, heading towards Folkestone, lost their upper and lower windscreens. Picture: Barry Goodwin

It comes as more than 100 services have been cancelled by the bus company so far today.

Norman Bolton, 46, was a passenger on one of the buses that suffered damage.

The teaching assistant said: “I was returning from Dover on the 102 bus, after my school, Whitfield Aspen, closed.

“At around 8am we got to Capel-Le-Ferne when suddenly the front window on the top deck blew out completely and sailed across the road.

“The wind was able to then howl through the bus making it shake from side-to-side.

The road has been closed by police. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The road has been closed by police. Picture: Barry Goodwin

“We all evacuated and noticed the bus in front of us had the same thing happen to it.

“We had to hold on to people to keep us all upright as the winds up there were so strong.

“Fortunately there was another 102 heading towards Dover that was unscathed and the driver of that bus saved everyone by turning round and slowly bringing us all back into Folkestone.

“Needless to say Stagecoach cancelled all 102 services from that point on.

“Everyone was unharmed although rather shook up, some more than others.

The windscreen were left shattered by the storm. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The windscreen were left shattered by the storm. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The wind shook the bus. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The wind shook the bus. Picture: Barry Goodwin

“It was definitely a scary and worrying experience for all involved.”

Capel Road is understood to still be closed.

Bosses at Stagecoach have confirmed they have been forced to cancel 102 journeys because of the storm.

The Met Office has put an amber weather warning in place until midday, and says coastal areas could face winds of up to 85mph. A yellow alert for strong winds is in place until 5pm.

A number of roads have been blocked and emergency crews have had a busy morning responding to multiple storm-related calls, including flooded roads and fallen trees.

The Environment Agency is advising people to steer clear of piers, promenades and swollen rivers.

The Coastguard is also calling for those near the sea to ensure they have a phone with them to contact them if they come into danger.

Stagecoach announced other delays this morning – including in Denton due to a fallen tree on the A260 near The Jackdaw Inn.

The service 16 will be unable to serve Barham Crem, Denton, Swingfield and Densole until further notice.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “We have two buses at Capel that we've taken out of service due to minor damage caused by debris in the strong winds.

"As a result, we've had to cancel some route 102 journeys, but we expect a full service to resume later today.

"We urge customers to check our Twitter/X feed @StagecoachSE, for the latest service information before travelling."

Police have been contacted for a comment.

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