Glasgow bridge crash bus driver charged with dangerous driving
The crash left a number of passengers injured.
A man has admitted crashing a double-decker bus into a bridge in Glasgow, leaving a number of his passengers injured.
Alan Carey, 49, smashed into the bridge in Glasgow's Tradeston near the city's o2 Academy in the late morning of the 21st of May, 2023.
The crash happened after Carey, of the city's Cardonald, mistakenly took a wrong turn at a road diversion.
Carey then failed to notice warning signs on the road advising him of a low bridge ahead and the maximum height of vehicles.
Carey went on to strike a railway bridge which tore off the top of his roof which came to rest on the bus at a 45-degree angle.
Some of his passengers suffered minor injuries while those more seriously affected were taken to hospitals in the city.
Carey pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the single charge of dangerous driving.
Sheriff Jonathan Guy ordered Carey to do 96 hours of unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for one year.
The court heard that Carey was driving the number six bus with 31 passengers on board.
Diversions had been placed on his route for the Race For Life charity run.
As the bus passed Eglington Street there were signs that told drivers that there were low bridges with maximum height restrictions.
Carey mistakenly took the wrong turn onto Cook Street which did not follow the diverted path.
He also did not notice a sign that a low bridge was within 100 yards of his location.
Carey managed to pass under the first railway bridge which had a sign marked for a maximum vehicle height of 4.6 metres.
As he approached the second bridge, there were height warning signs on the lead up with the word 'Attention' on them.
Prosecutor Ross Gunn said: "The bus continued on Cook Street and as the vehicle reached the second bridge, its top deck struck the bridge.
"This caused the roof of the top deck to become detached and fall backwards from the bus and the bus to become wedged underneath the bridge.
"The roof was propped up against its rear at a 45-degree angle and passengers were seated on the top deck when the collision took place."
CCTV later reviewed showed Carey in a "distressed state" as he made his way to the top deck to check on passengers.
Emergency crews attended and police officers were met with people who were visibly injured on the pavement.
The bus was taken away by a recovery company for an exam meantime.
The railway bridge - used between Glasgow Central and Paisley stations - was put out of action while an inspection was carried out.
A number of passengers suffered cuts and wounds due to windows smashing. There were also whiplash injuries including sprains and strains.
The more seriously injured passengers were taken to hospitals and were released hours later.
On May 23, police attended Carey's home where he was cautioned and charged.
First Bus have confirmed that Carey is no longer an employee of the company.
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