Bus Driver Disqualified After Double-Decker Collides with Railway Bridge

An individual has received a one-year driving disqualification after a double-decker bus he was operating collided with a railway bridge, resulting in injuries to several passengers. Alan Carey, aged 49, was involved in the collision with the bridge in Tradeston, Glasgow, close to the O2 Academy, during the morning of May 21, 2023. Mr. Carey, a resident of Cardonald, had erroneously followed an incorrect route at a road diversion point while working for First Bus. At Glasgow Sheriff Court, he admitted guilt to a sole count of dangerous driving. Additionally, he received a sentence of 96 hours of community service. This legal matter concludes only a few days following a comparable event at the identical railway bridge, where a 4A First Bus struck the structure on Saturday night, resulting in one man being hospitalized in critical condition. Testimony in court indicated that Carey was operating the number six bus, which carried 31 passengers. Route alterations had been implemented due to the Race For Life charity event. Upon the bus’s passage past Eglington Street, signage was present, informing drivers of low bridges and their associated maximum height limitations. Mr. Carey erroneously turned onto Cook Street, deviating from the designated diverted route. The driver did not observe the warning signs on the roadway that indicated an upcoming low bridge and specified the maximum vehicle height. Carey successfully navigated beneath an initial railway bridge, which displayed a maximum vehicle height of 4.6 metres (15ft), but subsequently collided with a second bridge, causing the top section of the roof to be ripped off. Several passengers sustained lacerations and injuries from shattered windows. Whiplash injuries, encompassing sprains and strains, were also reported. Ten passengers with more severe injuries were transported to hospitals and discharged within hours. According to Prosecutor Ross Gunn, the impact resulted in the top deck’s roof detaching and falling rearwards, and the bus becoming “wedged” beneath the bridge. He stated: “The roof was propped up against its rear at a 45-degree angle and passengers were seated on the top deck when the collision took place.” Subsequent CCTV footage revealed Carey in a “distressed state” as he ascended to the top deck to assess the passengers’ condition. Emergency services responded, and police officers encountered individuals with visible injuries on the sidewalk. The railway bridge, which serves routes between Glasgow Central and Paisley stations, was rendered inoperable pending an inspection. First Bus has verified that Mr. Carey is no longer employed by the firm. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.