Crisps advert pulled over bus crash scene

Published on Friday 28 March 2008 21:24

A CRISPS manufacturer has withdrawn a television advert that shows the top of a bus being sliced off, after dozens of complaints from Scottish viewers.

Walkers apologised for any offence caused by the advert and said it was removing the offending scene, with a new version airing from today.

Among those who complained was the survivor of a Glasgow bus crash in which two adults and three children died.

The advert shows the former footballer Gary Lineker driving a bus while eating crisps. He fails to notice a low bridge and crashes into it, slicing off the top of the bus.

Louise Penman, 24, spent two weeks in hospital after a double-deck bus carrying Girl Guides from Drumchapel crashed into a railway bridge in 1994.

She said:

"I do not see how they can justify an advert like that for a bag of crisps. It's so graphic and horrific." She spent three days in intensive care and needed 58 stitches in her head.

Ms Penman was among 91 people who complained to the Advertising Standards Authority, which is deciding whether there are grounds for an investigation.

Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council and a councillor for the Drumchapel/Anniesland area, wrote to Walkers, saying:

"Many people have been deeply upset by your advert as it has brought back very painful memories. It also trivialises for them what was a devastating accident."