LAD’S TERRIFYING BUS PLUNGE Our son nearly died after a coach door burst open at 60 mph... we have to stop this happening again
Quick-thinking dad ‘saved life’
the accident by text. At first she thought her son had fallen down the bus stairs and was horrified to learn the extent of his injuries.
Seb was transferred to Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge, suffering a cardiac arrest on the way. He spent three weeks in a coma after an amputation op and survived a second cardiac arrest which starved his brain of oxygen.
When he came round he could barely see, talk or lift his head and had problems moving limbs. Tearful Tracey said: “Th e doctors told us to accept we’d lost the boy we had. It was like having a baby again. I had to feed and change him and he had to learn to do everything again.”
As Seb recovered and started physiotherapy, the family assumed police would prosecute the bus firm, whose motto is “the coach company you can trust.” The faults officers found on the Volvo Jonckheere Monaco doubledeck coach included leaking oil, a seriously under-inflated tyre and a worn and ill- fitting door with a handle safety guard missing.
But four months after the tragedy, police confirmed no report would be sent to the CPS. The Goolds’ lawyers hired forensic engineer Stephen Jowitt. He said the tragedy was an “accident waiting to happen” and that the bus condition showed “scant regard” for safety.
Now the Goolds, of Wansford, TRAGIC Seb last week met the medics who helped to save him for the first time since his fall. He embraced surgeon Alistair Best and neo natal nurse Claire O’Mara who rushed to his aid from cars behind the bus. Alistair praised his dad: “If Nick hadn’t reactively stopped the Cambs, hope Sunday Mirror readers will support their petition. They point out bus operators are not required to bring old coaches up to current safety standards.
Tracey said: “The law on the safety of old buses must change.” They need 100,000 signatures to trigger a debate.
A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman “acknowledged the investigation fell below expected bleeding, Seb wouldn’t be here.” Thankful Seb, 11 – who still has issues with his sight and fine motor skills – now dreams of being a blade runner.
He said: “I used to dream of becoming a footballer so that was a bit upsetting, but now I’m concentrating on my athletics.” standards. Recommendations have been implemented.”
Bus firm owner Mr Uka said he was “incredibly distressed” at what Seb had suffered but says that his coach was not to blame.
He said: “I accept there were minor faults, but none that caused the accident.”
Asked why the door handle didn’t have a safety cover,Mr Uka said: “It’s a manufacturer designed door and we are not able to tamper with it. My coaches would not be on the road if they were unsafe.”
He claimed the loss of his licence in 2012 was nothing to do with maintenance.
Insurers for Hamiltons admitted liability and have settled a civil claim with the Goolds.
Sign the Goolds’ petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/163522