Parents' anger after Rhos-on-Sea bus crash

Jun 25 2009 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Arriva bus

FURIOUS parents have slammed a bus company claiming the driver abandoned injured children at the roadside after a crash without calling an ambulance.

The smash happened last Thursday at 4pm outside the Cayley pub at Rhos-on-Sea when the number 15 bus and a car collided, sending passengers out of their seats.

The car and bus were damaged in the accident and emptied. Witnesses claim the driver asked passengers if they were hurt before several complained of impact and whiplash-type injuries.

But neither the driver nor Arriva called an ambulance to the scene.

Instead passengers were ushered onto a replacement bus while two injured 12-year-old boys, suffering neck and face injuries, were left standing at the roadside.

Police were only called by the bus company two hours later after an angry parent turned up at Arriva’s Llandudno Junction depot.

According to police records Arriva then informed the police an ambulance had been called, despite the Ambulance Service having no record.

Eirias High pupil Matthew Bamborough was travelling home from school when the crash occurred and was later taken to Llandudno Hospital suffering whiplash.

“ I felt a massive force and flew into the disabled seat,” he said. “I had back pain, the hospital said I had bad whiplash. I told the driver I wasn’t okay, I was shocked and couldn’t breathe.”

Matthew’s mum Karolyn, 43, of Campbell Close, Penrhyn Bay was furious.

“The bus driver left the children, left the scene, didn’t report it to the police and didn’t call an ambulance,” she said.

“When we got to casualty they asked if we were from the bus accident – they already knew about it. There was a two-year-old girl who had been hit on the head and was being sick.”

Police had a call from a parent reporting the incident, which occurred at 4pm, at 5.21pm. The force confirmed Arriva did not report the crash until 6.04pm and informed police an ambulance had been called. Police are looking into the matter.

A spokesman for Arriva said: “I can confirm that an incident took place on June 18 in Rhos on Sea, in which an Arriva bus was involved in a minor collision with another vehicle.

“The bus was travelling at less than 5mph and we understand two young males were admitted to hospital – clearly we wish them a speedy recovery.

“An ambulance was offered to the injured parties but was not accepted.

“The incident was subsequently reported to the police and we are continuing to assist all relevant authorities.”