|
|
 |
|
| |
Man claims bus driver to blame for his personal injury claim
When Alan Graham got on a bus, he didn't expect to end up in hospital.
But that's what happened when the 63-year-old fell from the 544 Go North East service – and now he's set to sue the company.
Grandfather-of-seven Mr Graham, from South Shields, shattered his pelvis after he says he was thrown from the bus on Tuesday, April 18 2006.
He claims the bus driver pulled away too quickly as he got off and he was pushed on to the pavement by the closing doors.
The retired TV engineer says he had spoken to the driver about his attitude following an incident earlier in the journey.
He claimed a number of passengers who got on with him, fell over when the bus pulled away before they sat down.
"All the way up Green Lane he was doing exactly the same thing, pulling away too quickly," said Mr Graham, who was on his way home after meeting friends.
"I got off at the top of Harton Lane and had a few words with him. I said people like him gave good drivers a bad name.
"As I went to step off, he pulled away and closed the doors. I was half-way off and the doors threw me out on to the pavement.
"The bus never stopped. It just carried on and left me lying on the pavement. I could have gone under the back wheels if my foot had been caught in the door.".
A Good Samaritan in a car behind the bus stopped to help and took him to his ex-wife's house. She is now caring for him.
The man said he would act as a witness to the incident, but in the confusion, Mr Graham didn't get his name or number.
He would like to thank him personally and is appealing for him and other witnesses, including people on the bus, to come forward.
He says he believes a woman passenger has already complained to Go North East about the driver and contacted the police about the incident.
Mr Graham spent 17 days in South Tyneside District Hospital after attending the accident and emergency department later in the evening.
He is unable to walk unaided and will be housebound until the bones in his pelvis heal themselves.
He has contacted the police and a personal injury solicitor, with a view to suing the bus company.
A spokesman for Go North East said: "I can confirm we are aware of the alleged incident and have been liaising with the police who contacted us regarding this matter.
"The driver concerned did issue a report following the alleged incident and our internal investigation is still ongoing.".
Source: Shields Gazette |
|
|
