Dramatic video of school bus trapped on level crossing at Manningtree

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From ITV News Anglia:

School bus stuck on crossing Photo: ITV Anglia

A bus driver from Essex has been fined after trying to cross a railway line while the barriers were closing.

The double-decker, driven by 21-year-old Marcus Lamm, from Jaywick, became trapped on the line at Manningtree after he tried to jump the lights. He was the only person on board at the time, having just dropped off children from nearby schools.

http://vimeo.com/52565012

[trainer]

This is frightening for everyone.  Young male car drivers find it difficult to afford insurance as it is.  I wonder how much extra bus companies might end up paying when this gets around.  I am relieved that no-one was hurt, and I assume we can thank a vigilant signaller for the narrow escape.  An unsung hero, so far, but I hope he/she will receive a commendation from management at least.

[Electric train]

I know this crossing, about 20 yrds behind the camera is a roundabout, there is a dive under bridge to the left although it has only 10' 6" (or less) headroom.  the crossing is just east of the station (station to the left) with the Harwich line diverging off to the south east line speed about 20mph the mains are 90 or 100 mph. 
The down to Ipswich (the line furthest from the camera is on a curve through the station a drive would not see anything on the crossing until its far too late, the up has better sighting its is unlikely a train would stop in time. 

The tractor driver also jumped to lights you can see the red wig-wags flashing as it crosses.

[grahame]

The Daily Telegraph: "Lamm, a former technology college student, said he lost his job with First Bus after the incident on 19th July. He is now a bus driver with New Horizon Travel in Frating, Essex"

(No link - I have the printed edition for 1.11.12, page 4)

[JayMac]

Shouldn't such a foolish act have merited at the very least a driving ban? I find it of some concern that the chap involved is driving buses elsewhere just a few months later.

[trainer]

I couldn't agree more with Bignosemac.  Our lives are in the hands of public service drivers (road and rail) and the highest standards should be expected.  Sadly, I think the wage levels on the buses may determine who can afford to work in the industry. I have experienced seriously frightening bus journeys with drivers who have applied their HGV experience (and in one case, I think sports car driving) to open top double-decker buses forgetting that passengers react differently to washing powder.  Thank goodness the railways still set high standards for their recruits.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Bus trapped on Manningtree railway crossing: Driver fined

The driver of a double-decker bus that became trapped on a railway line in Essex as he drove through closing barriers has admitted driving without due care and attention.

Michael Lamm, 21, of Willow Way, Jaywick, drove the First bus onto the crossing at Manningtree at 09:15 BST in July. He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Lamm was fined ^300, ordered to pay ^100 court costs and received nine points on his licence.

[Electric train]

Shouldn't such a foolish act have merited at the very least a driving ban? I find it of some concern that the chap involved is driving buses elsewhere just a few months later.

I couldn't agree more with Bignosemac.  Our lives are in the hands of public service drivers (road and rail) and the highest standards should be expected.  Sadly, I think the wage levels on the buses may determine who can afford to work in the industry. I have experienced seriously frightening bus journeys with drivers who have applied their HGV experience (and in one case, I think sports car driving) to open top double-decker buses forgetting that passengers react differently to washing powder.  Thank goodness the railways still set high standards for their recruits.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Bus trapped on Manningtree railway crossing: Driver fined

The driver of a double-decker bus that became trapped on a railway line in Essex as he drove through closing barriers has admitted driving without due care and attention.

Michael Lamm, 21, of Willow Way, Jaywick, drove the First bus onto the crossing at Manningtree at 09:15 BST in July. He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Lamm was fined ^300, ordered to pay ^100 court costs and received nine points on his licence.

What is worrying is a PSV operating company wanting to take on a driver with 9 points!!!!

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Essex Daily Gazette:

First defend sacking railway blunder bus driver

The bus company, that sacked a driver for getting trapped on train tracks, has defended its decision.

First buses dismissed Marcus Lamm, 21, of Jaywick, after he ran the gauntlet at Manningtree level crossing.

The incident was caught on CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) and Lamm was fined and handed 9 points on his licence, as well as losing his job.

A First spokesman said: "Immediate action was taken following the incident in July resulting in the dismissal of Driver Lamm.

"Driver Lamm was operating an empty bus running back to the depot at the time of the incident, so no passengers were on board.

"Safety is a high priority for First and incidents of this nature are taken extremely seriously."

The spokesman said the company had co-operated with police since the arrest.

[ellendune]

From the Essex Daily Gazette:

First defend sacking railway blunder bus driver

The bus company, that sacked a driver for getting trapped on train tracks, has defended its decision.

First buses dismissed Marcus Lamm, 21, of Jaywick, after he ran the gauntlet at Manningtree level crossing.

The incident was caught on CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) and Lamm was fined and handed 9 points on his licence, as well as losing his job.

A First spokesman said: "Immediate action was taken following the incident in July resulting in the dismissal of Driver Lamm.

"Driver Lamm was operating an empty bus running back to the depot at the time of the incident, so no passengers were on board.

"Safety is a high priority for First and incidents of this nature are taken extremely seriously."

The spokesman said the company had co-operated with police since the arrest.

Most of the comments after the article ask why First needed to justify their actions.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm.  Just a couple of points from me, if I may:

I, too, don't see why First bus felt the need to justify their quite understandable decision on how to deal with their errant driver at the time;

Rather, his new employers should perhaps have been asked to justify their decision to employ someone with nine points on his license as a result of an incident in which he has admitted driving without due care and attention.

[John R]

But I guess he didn't have the 9 pts on his license at the time he was employed by them. (Though I would be interested to know what references they took up before taking him on, as that should have alerted them to the reason for his leaving First.)  I wonder what they will do now. I can't believe their insurers would permit someone with 9 points to continue in employment.

[thetrout]

Hmmm. It's a grey area. I guess if the insurers won't cover him since the 9 points award, then perhaps he would be offered a desk job? Does the article actually speak the truth I wonder? They could have got their facts wrong...?? He could be a bus/coach chief toilet emptier...? (Sorry I'll get my coat and head out the door )

Anyhow. I think an honorary attempt at getting a Darwin Award at the very least?

Back to the point: I'm not sure that it's grounds for dismassal considering he was re-employed. But certainly an internal staff re-appointment?

I know it's not the case at all here. But hypothetically speaking: Let's say I was a bus driver and then had a diagnosis of Epilepsy and was stripped of my drivers license as a result. Would it be safe to assume I couldn't be dismissed under the dreaded DDA^» (Disability Discrimination Act - about)? I guess though an employer could say: Desk Job or Door? Unless it was proven I lied about a Medical investigation prior to applying..........

Interesting way to look at it me thinks?