Charges laid over bus crash – Harden
Monday, 09 March 2020 04:01:29 PM
A man has been charged following an investigation into the September 27 bus crash which occurred near the William Bradford Bridge last year, a few kilometres west of Harden.
About 8.15am on Friday 27 September 2019, emergency services were called to Burley Griffin Way, Harden after reports that a coach was involved in a single vehicle crash.
The coach contained 28 adults and children including the driver, with 25 of the passengers transferred to Harden hospital as a precaution.
A further two passengers were airlifted to Canberra Hospital. An 8-year-old boy sustained a fractured leg and a 65 year-old-woman suffered serious head injuries.
Following inquiries officers from the Crash Investigation Unit issued the
58-year-old driver with a Future Court Attendance Notice for two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, two counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, two counts of drive with misconduct and negligent driving.
The man will appear in Young Local Court on Tuesday 21 April 2020.
Shooters Fishers and Farmers Spokesman Matthew Stadtmiller said, “It’s a shame politicians can’t be charged with neglect regarding this bridge over the years. I drove over this bridge twice today and it’s not suitably wide enough. It was amazing that there wasn’t a fatality last year, but how many near misses do we need to have on this bridge? It’s narrow, dangerous and had so many close calls, many of which aren’t recorded officially.”
“It would be nice to see the local member provide funding for something that is desperately needed and outside of an already set budget that is handed to the seat of Cootamundra. Cooke describes herself as a ‘fighter’ it’s time we saw Cooke fight for something as important as widening and or replacing this bridge. Now. “
The local member has been asked to comment on the charges laid against the driver, the comments will be added to this story if they are forthcoming.
