Wheel comes off minibus taking children to Oban
Oban Saints under-13s made it through to the third round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday but the team almost did not make it home.
While travelling back from their match in Glasgow, a wheel fell off their minibus.
Luckily, the driver felt something was not quite right and began to pull over before it came off completely just as the bus approached Achnacloich Bridge, near Connel, on the A85. Alternative transport had to be arranged for the team to complete the final stage of their journey home.
The yellow minibus is operated by Argyll and Bute Council.
A spokesperson for Oban Saints Amateur Football Club said: ‘The safety of the children is our main priority. We are lucky the minibus wasn’t on a motorway or travelling
at speed when it occurred and that nothing serious happened as a result.’
The news of the wheel falling off shocked some Oban councillors.
Councillor for Oban South and the Isles Roddy McCuish said: ‘This is really concerning because I would hope these buses are checked on a regular basis. I will be expecting a full inquiry into why this happened. I am only thankful that no one was seriously hurt.’
Fellow councillor Jim Lynch said: ‘I am shocked that it has happened.
‘I think we need to go back and have a look at it and see if checks are being carried out as regularly as they should be. We need to make sure it does not happen again.
‘Thankfully, no one has been injured.
‘I have run football teams for years and it has never happened to me.
‘We need to find out how it happened and if it’s been sorted.
‘The parents need an apology, and we are sorry. It must have been scary for the driver. Well done to the guys calming the kids down.’
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: ‘This is clearly something of concern and we are looking into it as a matter of urgency.’
Oban Saints YFC 2006s defeated Pirie Park FC 5-4 in a match that ‘had everything’.
A last-minute penalty, which had to be retaken, saw the young Oban footballers into the third round.