A National Express coach driver who hit a stationary lorry, almost killing some of his 46 passengers, has been banned for careless driving.
Richard Harding, 34, of Station Road, Leiston, Suffolk, has been banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay £816 in fines and costs by Colchester Magistrates.
He was driving a Galloway Travel Group Caetano Levante on National Express’ route 250 Ipswich-Heathrow he crashed into the back of an curtain-sided artic, which had stopped on the carriageway due to a puncture.
Mr Harding, who did not enter a plea and failed to attend court, no longer works for the company.
The lorry’s hazard lights were on and police were on their way to the scene when the crash happened.
Two passengers were seriously injured and 14 others hurt.
One had a broken leg, broken bones in her hand and had a toe amputated. The other sustained a broken knee, broken toe, dislocated hip, bruised ribs and sprained ankle. Both spent a “considerable” time in hospital.
Investigating officer PC Whitfield said: “It was not clear why Mr Harding did not notice the lorry had stopped. It was extremely fortunate no-one was killed.”
