MISHAP TO A ’BUS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 253, 6 August 1937, Page 3

MISHAP TO A ’BUS.

SEVERAL CHILDREN INJURED. DRIVER FINED FOR NEGLIGENCE, (Per Press Association.) * CHRISTCHURCH, August 5. Alexander Hugh Miner, driver of the Hawarden school bus, in which several children were seriously injured on May 10, was before the Magistrate’s Court at Culver den to-day charged witli_ negligent driving. He was lined £/ and ordered to pay costs. His license was suspended and he was prohibited from obtaining another until February 5, 1939. Miller claimed that the accident was due to the jamming of the accelerator pedal. Two charges were preferred against Miller, one of driving negligently in Dalmeny Road, Mason’s Hat, and the second of driving without due care and attention. The charges were heard by Mr H. A. Young, S.M. Sub-Inspector D. A. Maclean, who prosecuted, said that going toward a small bridge on Dalmeny Road, something went wrong and the bus went off the road, mounting a rise 18 inches to two feet high and then careering about 33 yards diagonally across the road till it hit the stump of a tree. The engine of the bus was pushed back and considerable damage done. Some of the children in the bus were seriously injured, one suffering a fractured skull and others sever© facial injuries. Some were still in hospital. For the defence, Mr 1). W. Russell said Miller actually used great judgment in avoiding a 40ft chasm into which the bus would have iallen had he not steered for the tree. “I think he was negligent in letting the bus run up an 18-inch to two feet rise,” the Magistrate said, after hearing the evidence and Mr Russell’s submissions. Mr Russell said that Miilei had lost his job and was now a groom in a stable. He suffered a broken jaw and other injuries in the accident. Miller was lined on the charge ot negligent driving, the charge of driving without due care and attention being withdrawn.