Whiplash injury news
23/08/2011

Bus driver fined after 18 schoolchildren are left injured

A bus driver has been fined after causing a road traffic accident which left 18 schoolchildren injured.

The accident occurred in Chesterfield in March 2011, when the 38-year-old bus driver crashed into a low bridge after he failed to take notice of the warning signs. The roof of the double-decker bus was sliced off in the accident and 18 children were left with personal injuries.

Chesterfield Magistrates' Court heard how this had been the drivers first time taking a double-decker along that particular journey and he had been told by other depot staff that it was the correct route.

The court also heard how despite a 13.3ft height warning being clearly visible on the bridge and a warning notice about the bridge displayed inside the bus, the driver continued on his journey.

The children on the bus had just a few seconds to get to the floor and shelter their heads as the roof was ripped off and broken glass littered the road.

The driver admitted to driving without due care and attention and was banned from driving for 12 months. He was fined £80 with £35 costs.

Parents of the injured children are in uproar at the leniency of the sentence and are calling for the bus company to face further action.

Several of the children are still undergoing physiotherapy for whiplash injuries and many have been left severely traumatised by the road traffic accident.