Fatal bus crash - new witness appeal
10th March, 2010
Accident investigators have renewed their appeal for witnesses to a fatal crash in Chester-le-Street a week ago in which a bus driver died and another was seriously hurt.
The two vehicles collided head-on in North View, Newfield at around 4pm last Wednesday, 3rd March. Gordon Hutchinson, the 58-year-old driver of the service bus involved died from his injuries and the driver of the coach, a 50-year-old man from Stanley was left critically injured. He remains in Newcastle General Hospital and has so far not regained conciousness after the crash.
The only passengers on either vehicle were three people who were on the bus driven by Mr Hutchinson. Of those, just one – a 69-year-old man from Pelton Fell – was detained for medical treatment and he is in a 'comfortable' condition at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
The investigating officer, Insp Ken Cook said his officers had spoken to several people who had helped at the scene in the aftermath of the crash, but had not heard from anyone who witnessed the collision itself.
"We have spoken to the three passengers who remember hearing a loud bang, but they did not actually see what happened. And although the road usually has a reasonable amount of traffic, so far it would seem there were no other vehicles in the vicinity at the time of the collision.
"Our enquiries into the cause of this tragedy are continuing and we would urge anyone who saw the vehicles collide to contact us."
Anyone who can help should ring the collision investigation unit on 0191 375 2159.
