Horror as pupils see school bus driver die in smash
Shocked children injured
A SCHOOL bus driver was killed and several pupils were injured yesterday after a head-on crash on a country road.
The 68-year-old man, who has not yet been named, was at the wheel of a single-decker coach when it was in collision with a lorry and a car in Maryculter, Aberdeenshire.
He died at the scene, while a number of primary and secondary age children were treated for cuts and bruises.
The bus and all 13 children on board were heading to class at the £15,500-a-year Lathallan School, in Johnshaven, Aberdeenshire, shortly before 8am.
The 56-year-old driver of a DAF lorry and the 40-year-old driver of an Audi car, both involved in the crash, were treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for non lifethreatening injuries.
Inspector Neil Morrison told BBC Scotland: ‘The driver of the coach died of his injuries at the scene. The 13 on the coach were not seriously injured and have been reunited with their parents.
‘Any collision of this nature is traumatic and our thoughts are with those involved.’
Describing the road conditions, Mr Morrison said: ‘It’s been cold, the road surface is a consideration for us.’
Police attended the scene along with paramedics and five fire crews. The road, which was covered in slush and water, was closed for most of the day.
A witness described how the school bus, which belongs to coach hire firm MW Nicoll of Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, appeared to have been hit on its front left side and was left on the wrong side of the road.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We received a call at 7.43am to attend a collision in South Deeside Road, Aberdeen. We dispatched four ambulances, four special operations retrieval units and one paramedic response unit. Two patients have been taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.’
Tributes were paid to the bus driver, who was described as ‘a larger than life’ character’.
In a statement Lathallan headmaster Richard Toley said: ‘Many of you may already be aware that the North Bus was involved in an accident this morning on South Deeside Road in Aberdeen.
‘The coach was transporting pupils to school. All pupils involved are now with their parents. We have been informed by Police Scotland that the driver has sadly passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a larger than life character who was extremely popular with our pupils. He will be missed by us all.’
A spokesman for MW Nicoll said: ‘The thoughts of our whole team are with the driver’s friends and family. We are working with Police Scotland and all the authorities during the investigation and would like to thank the emergency services for their help.’
Asked if the road had been gritted before the crash, Aberdeenshire Council said it would be inappropriate to comment.
Last night, Police Scotland warned drivers they should only venture out if ‘absolutely necessary’ due to treacherous road conditions in and around Aberdeen.
‘Popular with our pupils’