Defects Found On Two Vehicles Following Police Inspections

By Rob Dixon

Coach operators have been urged by legal experts to ensure the safety of their vehicles always meets the required standards, after two buses used to carry children on a school trip in Scotland were found to have significant defects.

Brake and suspensions defects were found during inspections by police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in two coaches used to take pupils to Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling.

The condition of one of the vehicles was so severe that it was towed away immediately, while a further seven vehicles were found to have minor defects including seatbelt problems and fuel leaks.

Irwin Mitchell’s serious injury lawyers represent victims who have suffered serious injuries in coach and bus accidents in the UK and abroad, helping them to gain answers and also access funds which go towards their rehabilitation and recovery.

Elaine Russell, a Partner and expert in such cases at Irwin Mitchell’s Glasgow office, said: “News of the results of these inspections is massively worrying and highlights serious concerns in relation to coach safety in general.

“It is vital that urgent lessons are learned from these issues, primarily that coach operators ensure their vehicles are regularly assessed for safety issues and action is taken to address any potential risks.

“Parents and schools put their faith in coach operators to ensure that children are able to travel from A to B in the safest possible manner, and it is vital that the health and safety of such passengers always comes first.

“We have seen numerous cases when people have had their lives catastrophically transformed by coach and bus accidents, whether they have been left with serious injuries or have lost a loved one in such incidents.

“It is hugely fortunate that these issues were identified before the consequences proved to be much more serious – this simply cannot be allowed to happen again.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Coach Accident claims