Bus driver tried to miss cafe

A bus driver involved in a crash which left a woman dead and six others injured was trying to avoid smashing into a packed cafe, witnesses said today. A bus driver involved in a crash which left a woman dead and six others injured was trying to avoid smashing into a packed cafe, witnesses said today. The 65-year-old Walsall woman hit when the Arriva vehicle and another bus were in collision at Walsall Bus Station yesterday died last night in Selly Oak Hospital. The Arriva driver, based at the firm's depot in Bridgtown, Cannock, was today recovering from the ordeal at home after being discharged from Walsall Manor Hospital where he was treated for shock. Witnesses, including a fellow bus driver, have suggested there could have been a mechanical fault with the vehicle and that they watched the driver frantically try to bring the bus under control. It is believed the driver had been trying to avoid ploughing into a packed cafe nearby. Read the full story in the Express & Star.

Published

The 65-year-old Walsall woman hit when the Arriva vehicle and another bus were in collision at Walsall Bus Station yesterday died last night in Selly Oak Hospital.

The Arriva driver, based at the firm's depot in Bridgtown, Cannock, was today recovering from the ordeal at home after being discharged from Walsall Manor Hospital where he was treated for shock.

Witnesses, including a fellow bus driver, have suggested there could have been a mechanical fault with the vehicle and that they watched the driver frantically try to bring the bus under control.

It is believed the driver had been trying to avoid ploughing into a packed cafe nearby.

Keith Myatt, spokesman for Arriva, refused to comment on the claims but said a "full and thorough" internal investigation had been launched. He confirmed the driver involved was experienced.

The crash happened at around 11.15am when the bus hit a shelter, two women pedestrians, a van and two cars before crashing into the 51 Travel West Midlands double decker bus bound for Birmingham.

It finished up heading in the wrong direction in St Paul's Street, a one way route.

A second woman, aged 59, was in a serious condition at Manor Hospital today.