Bus Driver Receives Ban Following Fatal Collision with Grandfather

A bus driver, recently qualified, has received a driving ban following a fatal collision that resulted in the death of a grandfather. Alan Boyd, aged 35, was involved in an incident where his McGill’s bus entered the tram lines on the opposing carriageway at Haymarket in Edinburgh in February of the previous year, striking Allan Moir, 79. Mr. Moir, who had been on his way home after attending a football match between Hearts and Dundee United at Tynecastle, sustained a head trauma and passed away a short time after being put into an ambulance. Boyd, a resident of Cumbernauld, pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care or attention and was subsequently prohibited from driving for a period of 24 months by Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Additionally, he received a six-month supervision order and was mandated to complete 240 hours of community service. Testimony presented in court indicated that Boyd was operating the Edinburgh to Falkirk route independently for the second occasion on February 4, following the completion of his training. The single-decker bus was proceeding along Atholl Place, approaching the intersection with Morrison Street, at approximately 5:35 PM. The court was informed that the bus initially began “straddling” both the eastbound and westbound tram lanes before entering the tramway itself, ahead of the junction with Grosvenor Street. Fiscal depute Anna Robertson stated to the court that the road featured clear signage, “tram only,” painted directly on its surface. Mr. Moir, a season ticket holder at Tynecastle for approximately 70 years, was in the process of crossing the carriageway at a designated pedestrian crossing. His son was scheduled to collect him nearby and drive him home. Mr. Moir had moved onto a central island and looked to his left before proceeding onto the road. The bus, moving at an estimated speed of 16 mph, struck him on its front nearside, causing him to fall to the ground. Medical professionals who were not on duty but present in the vicinity immediately went to Mr. Moir’s assistance and alerted emergency services. Although he was placed in the rear of an ambulance, he was pronounced deceased a brief period afterward. In a subsequent statement, Mr. Moir’s family expressed gratitude to those who tried to help him. During an interview with police officers, Boyd conveyed that he “felt really bad” for Mr. Moir’s family. He stated: “That was my second day. I didn’t see him at all, I didn’t see him on the island.” He submitted to a drug wipe and an alcohol breath test at the scene, both of which yielded negative results, and subsequently passed an eye test. Sheriff Ian Anderson mandated that Boyd must pass an extended driving test before his driving privileges can be reinstated. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.