School bus driver ignored flood warning signs

MacEwans Bus Company which provides a school bus service for children in the Tweeddale area in the Scottish Borders, has had its contract with the council taken away. It comes after an incident last week where a driver ignored flood warning signs and proceeded to drive down a flooded road with a bus load of school pupils onboard.

Following the incident, the coach company bosses were called to a meeting by the Scottish Borders Council to explain themselves. However council officials decided to withdraw the company’s contract to provide a bus service for schools in the Tweeddale area. The council is now seeking a replacement bus firm to take over the contract.

It has been reported that the driver of the number 91 bus service, which transports school pupils from Broughton and Stobo to Peebles, completely ignored the road closed signs and ploughed down a waterlogged road. Once the driver realised he couldn’t make it through, he reversed the vehicle all the way back down the road.

Outraged parents wasted no time in alerting the press to the incident. One parent described the dangerous act as “absolute madness” before adding, “He ignored the road closed sign completely. Not only was he putting the children in danger but what kind of message does that give to the children on board.”

The head of schools in Peeblesshire, Yvonne McCraken, confirmed that the incident will be investigated fully and “appropriate action will be taken.”