Bus driver fined over crash

Aaron Bamford was left unconscious and with a shattered knee after bus driver Gary Martin, who was behind the wheel of a Stagecoach single decker bus, turned across him on Fletton Avenue in August last year.

On Thursday Martin (58) of Watergall, Bretton, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention at a trial at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge, saying the road had been clear when he started to turn. However, District Judge Ken Sheraton said Martin would have been able to see the biker coming.

He was fined £200, and ordered to pay £620 costs and a £25 surcharge. He was also given six penalty points on his licence.

The accident happened as the Stagecoach bus turned right into Queens Road from Fletton Avenue at about 1.40pm on August 18 last year.

Mr Bamford told the court: “I remember looking in my mirror, and then being in an ambulance. I have not fully recovered yet - my knee does not have the full range of motion.”

Passengers on the bus described the impact as being like ‘an explosion,’ and were showered with glass from a broken window.

Louise Heathcote, who was driving behind the bus, told the court she saw Mr Bamford catapulted into the air following the crash.

She said: “I was driving behind the bus when it turned into Queens Road. He turned quite quickly. Then I saw the motorcyclist flying into the air.”

Martin, giving evidence, said when he turned into Queens Road, the lane had been clear.

He said: “I didn’t stop, as the road was clear. When I had started the move, I saw the bike coming. I put my hand up as I assumed he had seen me. When I have started to turn, there is no stopping. Otherwise I would just block the road.”

The court was told Martin had a clean driving record, but the conviction could cost him his job.

Judge Sheraton, sentencing Martin, said the mistake had only been a momentary lapse, but said: “Mr Martin failed to give way to Mr Camford and in doing so fell below the standard of driving of a prudent motorist, and I find the case has been proved.”