Bus crash driver walks free after appeal
AFTER 306 days behind bars, a bus driver jailed for crashing into a notorious Melbourne bridge and injuring six people has walked free and urged for it be fixed.
Ballarat man Jack Aston was released from the dock by the appeals court yesterday, amid applause, cheers and hugs from his supporters.
He was re-sentenced to time already served and a twoyear community corrections order after his original convictions were quashed.
“I feel really good. I’d like to say sorry to all my passengers,” a jubilant Aston said as he left the Supreme Court.
Aston was jailed in December for at least two-and-a-half years after being convicted on six counts of negligently causing serious injury. Six of his 14 passengers suffered a range of injuries including spinal fractures during the crash into the Montague Bridge at South Melbourne in February 2016. Aston himself suffered a broken neck in the crash.
Aston was sent to trial on six charges of negligently causThe Voice ing serious injury and six alternative charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, but the alternative charges, which have lower penalties, were not put to the jury. This led the Court of Appeal to find a substantial miscarriage of justice had occurred.
Aston thanked supporters and legal team, and had a message for Victoria’s premier. “Now Dan Andrews, if you really do care about the people of Victoria, before that bridge takes a life, fix it,” he said, adding “if it’s all right with you guys I’d really like to go home now.”