BUS DRIVER CHARGED OVER DOUBLE DECKER CRASH WHICH SERIOUSLY INJURED PASSENGERS

A bus driver is to appear in court charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a crash near Arreton back in December 2021. Paul Brookes, 49, of New Road in Brading, has been the subject of a lengthy and detailed Police investigation over the past 2 years. It was on 1st December 2021 that the 17:45 Route 2 bus from Newport to Ryde was travelling along the A3056 when it crashed into a field, having failed to turn into Merstone Lane as expected. A total of 13 people were injured in the incident as the bus ‘launched into the air’. Now, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a total of 3 charges against Mr Brookes, the driver of the Southern Vectis double decker bus HW67 AHY. The charges relate to serious injury caused to 3 male passengers. Mr Brookes no longer works for Southern Vectis. The 49-year-old will appear at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday).