School coach driver dies after three-vehicle smash

None of the 13 pupils on the bus during the accident were badly hurt

The 68-year-old driver of a school bus has died following a serious three-vehicle accident in Aberdeenshire.

The collision at about 7:40am yesterday morning happened near Maryculter Bridge on the South Deeside Road (B979) also involved a lorry and a car.

The private hire bus had been carrying 13 pupils – junior and senior pupils – heading for Lathallan private school in Johnshaven. Police said none of the children suffered serious injury and did not require hospital treatment. They are believed to have sustained cuts and bruises.

The 56-year-old driver of the DAF lorry, and the driver of the red Audi A4, aged 40, were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

They were not thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

The name of the driver who died has not yet been released.

The road and nearby Milltimber Brae were closed for some time as investigations were carried out.

Inspector Neil Morrison said: “Sadly the driver of the coach died of his injuries at the scene. The 13 on the coach were not seriously injured. They have been reunited with their parents.

“Any collision of this nature is traumatic and our thoughts are with those involved.

Describing road conditions he added: “It’s been cold, the road surface is a consideration for us.”

Police are liaising with the school to ensure the welfare of the pupils concerned.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it received a call at 7:43am to attend the collision.

“We dispatched four ambulances, four special opera- tions retrieval units and one paramedic response unit to the scene.

“Two patients have been taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”

Paying tribute to the driver of the bus, Richard Toley, the school’s headmaster, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the driver’s family. He was a larger than life character who was extremely popular with our pupils. “He will be missed by us all.” Mr Toley added: “All our pupils are safe and with either staff or parents. No pupils were seriously injured.

“The head of pastoral care and myself will be offering support and counselling.”