[Article] Bus crash investigation

Victor

o.O Hmmm ...

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/6138062?view=Eircomnet

Report into Meath schoolbus crash delayed
From:ireland.com
Tuesday, 16th August, 2005


An independent inquiry into the worst school bus crash in Irish history will not publish its report until next month after investigators requested more time.

Five teenage girls were killed and 46 children were injured when the bus overturned as it was taking youngsters home from school in Navan, Co Meath, last May.

The inquiry into the crash was due to report this week. However, Bus Éireann, said the inquiry chairman, former assistant Garda Commissioner Jim McHugh had asked for the date to be extended because the investigation was taking longer than envisaged.

"To ensure the fullest possible investigation, consent has been granted to this request. This decision was taken following Mr McHugh's recommendations to the Board of Bus Éireann," it said in a statement.

The report is now expected to be published at the end of September. Two separate investigations into the crash by the gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority are ongoing.

The road outside Navan was being resurfaced, and temporary traffic lights were in place when the bus was involved in an accident with two other cars.

The absence of seatbelts on the schoolbus led to severe criticism of the Government. Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has now pledged that all school buses will be fitted with seatbelts by the end of next year.

Bus Éireann expressed its sincere regrets to the families of those killed and injured for the delay in publishing the report.

http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/6137613?view=Eircomnet

Council blocked bus crash tests
From:The Irish Independent
Tuesday, 16th August, 2005

A COUNCIL refused to allow an independent board of inquiry to conduct surface tests on a road where a school bus crashed killing five girls.

Several skid tests had already been carried out on the road but the Bus Eireann Board of Inquiry wrote to Meath Co Council seeking permission to conduct a further investigation.

This would have involved a base layer of road surface being poured on to the road to simulate its condition when the crash occured.

The road at that time was without the vital top layer of tar and chips needed to give it grip in wet weather and allow vehicles to travel at normal speed.

It is understood that the board of inquiry was disappointed at a negative response from the council a month after its request.

The new tests involving a similar model of school bus have now been carried out in another county replicating the unfinished road with wet conditions.

Meath Co Council said yesterday that it felt testing so close to the scene of such a terrible tragedy would have been insensitive towards the grieving families.

The council said the "tests could have been replicated anywhere in Ireland".

Treacy Hogan

John R

Meath Co Council said yesterday that it felt testing so close to the scene of such a terrible tragedy would have been insensitive towards the grieving families.

And hindering the investigation is their way of saying that they care. :rolleyes:

cal29

John R wrote:

And hindering the investigation is their way of saying that they care. :rolleyes:

Or more likely their way of preventing the investigation from finding the council partly responsible due to the condition of the road.

Victor

http://www.buseireann.ie/site/news_centre/press_releases.asp?action=view&news_id=371

Navan School Bus Accident Inquiry Report

Statement from Bus Éireann Regarding the Navan School Bus Inquiry Report

August 16, 2005 - The independent Committee of Inquiry established by Bus Éireann to investigate the tragic school bus accident in Navan of May 23rd 2005 has informed Bus Éireann it will require further time to fully complete its report.

Bus Éireann has been advised that the independent Committee of Inquiry, chaired by former Assistant Garda Commissioner Mr Jim McHugh, has made substantial progress in achieving its objectives. However, Mr McHugh has asked that the target date for the completion of the report be extended, in order to complete the investigation, which is taking longer than originally envisaged.

To ensure the fullest possible investigation, consent has been granted to this request. This decision was taken following Mr McHugh’s recommendations to the Board of Bus Éireann.

As a result the publication of the report will be deferred, until the Committee’s investigation is concluded, which is now expected to be the end of September.

Bus Éireann would like to express its sincere regrets to the bereaved and to those injured and their families for the need to defer the publication of the report. Bus Éireann fully recognises their need to be informed of all of the circumstances of the tragedy and in the meantime Bus Éireann will continue to provide support and assistance to those affected.

Issued By:
Media & Public Relations, Bus Éireann, Dublin 7