‘Dangerous defects’ found on school bus

Pupils returning from a school trip to a safari park had their bus towed away after dangerous defects were found.

The . Picture: Police Scotland

• Dangerous faults found on school bus after children return from school trip

• Vehicle driving from Blair Drummond Safari Park was stopped by police carrying out road safety checks

The vehicle taking pupils home from the Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling was stopped by police carrying out road checks last week.

The bus was in such poor condition that officers ordered it off the road immediately and a replacement vehicle was arranged to take the children home.

Officers said it was not roadworthy after uncovering brake and suspension defects.

A second bus carrying pupils showed similar faults and has also been taken off the road for repairs.

The checks were carried out by Police Scotland’s Forth Valley Division road policing unit and members of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

Forth Valley road safety officer Elaine Marshall said: “Bus companies have the responsibility of safely transporting pupils to and from school and on trips.

“It is extremely worrying that in two instances last week buses were so defective they had to be removed from the road with immediate effect.

“It is even more concerning that one bus was in such a bad state that it could not be repaired at the scene and had to be towed away. This meant a replacement bus had to be brought in to ensure the pupils got home safely.

“We have always maintained that we do everything we can, along with VOSA, to make sure children are travelling on buses that are completely roadworthy. We will continue to address this.”