A bus driver who caused an accident on Stagecoach East’s Busway back in February of 2016, injuring five passengers, has received a suspended sentence.
Van Chuyen Le was driving the Wright Eclipse-bodied Volvo when the accident occurred, but let go of the wheel to read his time duty card.
This lapse in concentration, combined with the bus travelling at 52 mph in a 30 zone, caused the vehicle to de-rail, ending up on an embankment beside the track.
According to CambridgeshireLive, amongst the five injured in the crash were passengers suffering a fractured spine, pelvis, ribs and whiplash.
The driver was immediately dismissed by Stagecoach, and has now plead guilty to breaching section 7 (1) of the Health and Safety Act 1974 at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court.
Consequently, he will now serve 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months – and has also been ordered to pay costs of £2,000.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation after the crash; inspector Nigel Fitzhugh said: “Drivers of guided buses must remain vigilant at all times.
It is especially important to do so when driving on guided sections as the absence of steering control may create a sense that full control of the bus is being maintained.
“Members of the public should be assured that HSE seriously considers the risks to their health and safety and takes appropriate enforcement action where necessary.”
