Bad accident in Coventry

[Mr Manager]

Just had a good friend call me to say that a Stagecoach Trident has gone into the Sainsburys near Pool meadow. now other details as yet. but its a true one. Hope all are ok.

 

[swj99]

http://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/bus-crashes-into-coventry-supermarket-10177/

A DOUBLE-DECKER BUS has crashed into Coventry city-centre supermarket.

The Stagecoach bus crashed into the side of the Sainsbury’s store on the corner of Trinity Street and Hales Street.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) were called to the scene at 6pm this evening (Saturday, October 3).

There are unconfirmed reports of two fatalities and passengers still trapped on the upper deck of the bus.

Three ambulances, two BASICS emergency doctors, a community paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle and a number of vehicles and staff from the Hazardous Area Response Team are all in attendance.

 

[455driver]

That looks bloomin awful, thoughts to everyone involved.

 

[swj99]

Not good at all.
BBC now got more info on it - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-34436360

Eight people were injured when a double-decker bus hit a number of cars before crashing into a supermarket in Coventry city centre, police say.

The bus struck a number of stationary cars and a lamp-post in Hales Street before crashing into Sainsbury's, in Trinity Street, at 18:00 BST.

West Midlands Police said three people were seriously injured and five others had minor injuries.

A number had been trapped on the bus's top deck, the force said.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

The front seats on the upper deck certainly look to have taken a heavy impact.

Rather odd that the BBC blurred out the name of the bus company on the photo - since the livery is probably one of the most recognisable in the country.

 

[mbonwick]

Believed to be 18190 involved.

Sadly 2 fatalities now confirmed

 

[GaryMcEwan]

What a tragedy I believe 18190 was a Leamington based vehicle..

 

[Strathclyder]

My utmost condolences go out to the families, friends & colleagues of the victims of this tragedy.

Also keeping the emergency services dealing with the aftermath in my thoughts...

 

[freetoview33]

Such a tragic accident. My thoughts are with everyone evolved and especially with the two people that sadly lost there lives and their families.

I hope the cause of this accident can be found out to hopefully prevent anything similar happening in future. (If it was preventable).

 

[jamesontheroad]

Rather odd that the BBC blurred out the name of the bus company on the photo - since the livery is probably one of the most recognisable in the country.

This image appeared on other news sites; I believe it may have been tweeted by the Police originally, who routinely blur out identifying features on vehicles (registration plates, etc) when attending accidents.

 

[G0ORC]

BBC is reporting that the driver was 77 years of age but had passed a medical.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-34442039

I always believed there was an age limit of 65 for bus drivers but I must have been mistaken - does anyone know what the limit is?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I read in a newspaper article that the horn was being sounded as the bus progressed out of control - so it might well be that either the driver fell unconscious onto it, or that the bus was genuinely out of control e.g. brake failure. I imagine there will be an investigation even if these things are not normally taken quite as seriously as railway accidents.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I read in a newspaper article that the horn was being sounded as the bus progressed out of control - so it might well be that either the driver fell unconscious onto it, or that the bus was genuinely out of control e.g. brake failure. I imagine there will be an investigation even if these things are not normally taken quite as seriously as railway accidents.

As per the Glasgow incident, there will have to be a full enquiry as there were fatalities, although this will be some time away.

Presumably the bus will have CCTV which would indicate if the driver was alert at the time of the incident.

 

[Stan Drews]

BBC is reporting that the driver was 77 years of age but had passed a medical.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-34442039

I always believed there was an age limit of 65 for bus drivers but I must have been mistaken - does anyone know what the limit is?

There is no limit, although over 65 they have to pass an annual medical rather than every 5 years prior to that.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I read in a newspaper article that the horn was being sounded as the bus progressed out of control - so it might well be that either the driver fell unconscious onto it, or that the bus was genuinely out of control e.g. brake failure. I imagine there will be an investigation even if these things are not normally taken quite as seriously as railway accidents.

On that type of bus the horn isn't on the steering wheel (but on the end of the indicator stalk), so an unconscious driver is unlikely to be able to slump on to it.

 

[G0ORC]

There is no limit, although over 65 they have to pass an annual medical rather than every 5 years prior to that.

Thanks for clarifying that...

 

[OwlMan]

The driver has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and Stagecoach with health & safety offence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-40707722

A bus driver has been charged with causing the deaths of two passengers who died when his vehicle crashed into a supermarket.
Rowan Fitzgerald, aged seven, and pedestrian Dora Hancox, 76, died in the crash in Coventry in October 2015.
Kailash Chander, 79, a former mayor of Leamington Spa, is charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.
He is due at Coventry Magistrates' Court on 7 September.
His employer, Midland Red (South) Limited, has been charged with two offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The firm is also due to appear in the court on the same day....................

 

[Hardcastle]

Its taken almost 2 years to reach court seems ages ago.

 

[AnonymousUser1]

Thanks for clarifying that...

first group 2 medical covers you until you are 45 unless you are over 40 when you take it when it lasts for 5 years , then it's every 5 years until 65 and yearly after thar

 

[Volvodart]

Decision

1. The standard international PSV operator’s licence held by Midland Red (South) Ltd trading as Stagecoach Midlands is varied so that the maximum number of vehicles it can operate is reduced from 261 to 200 for the period of 28 days, with effect from 0001 on 1 April until 0001 hours on 29 April 2019. The variation is pursuant to Section 17(2)(d) and 17(3)(aa) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (“the 1981 Act”).

2. The repute of the company and of its transport managers is retained.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate