A double-decker bus had its roof torn off last December after the bus driver followed the instructions of his sat nav which took him under a low bridge, a Leicestershire court has heard this week.
The double-decker bus was transporting 52 school children and their teachers on a museum outing at the time of the accident. The roof was ripped clean off as a result of the accident.
Fire fighters attending the scene said that the school children passengers sitting on the top deck only escaped serious injury because of their small stature. Had it have been a group of full size adults travelling onboard, the injury toll might have been much greater.
17 school pupils and teachers were taken to hospital to receive medical treatment following the accident.
The case was heard in Leicester Magistrates court this week. During proceedings one of the teachers recounted the incident saying: “I felt the underside of the bridge skim my head.”
The court heard that the 25-year-old bus driver had lost his job as a result of the incident and has also been suffering from flashbacks. He admitted that he didn’t know the area very well and had relied on his sat nav to guide him.
The bus driver pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. He was given 7 points on his licence, and ordered to pay a fine of £140, £60 costs, and £15 victim surcharge.
