Harlow bus driver convicted of causing death of passenger
Crime / Sat 18th Dec 2021 at 07:24am
A BUS driver has been convicted of causing the death of an elderly passenger by careless driving.
Seventy-three year-old John Childs died after he sustained a head injury caused by a fall from the bus Christopher Balding was driving on the evening of Friday 3 May, 2019.
Mr Childs got on the bus unaware that the bus was re-routed and as a result, Mr Childs and Balding became involved in a disagreement.
Balding opened the door at the first available bus stop in Howard Way, Harlow, still with the engine running. The bus moved forwards after he momentarily released the footbrake and Mr Childs lost his footing. He stumbled and fell backwards from the bus, landing on the footpath.
Officers in a passing police vehicle stopped to give medical assistance to Mr Childs before an ambulance took him to hospital.
Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) launched an investigation and Christopher Balding was voluntarily interviewed.
Mr Childs sadly died, 12 May the same year, in hospital.
Christopher Balding, now 39, of Quarry Spring, Harlow, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 5 August where he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
He appeared today, Friday 17 December, at Chelmsford Crown Court and will be sentenced at the same court on Friday 21 January 2022.
Wood
2021-12-18 08:08:32
An absolute abuse of power. So many drivers of harlow buses who fail in the safety of their passengers on a daily basis.
Rosemary tucker Tucker
2021-12-18 12:32:50
He hasn't been convicted
Minnie mouse
2021-12-18 12:49:25
Passengers always get up and walk to the front whilst bus is moving coming up to their stop. Stay seated. Your not getting off any quicker, why is it our fault when you Hurt yourself . STAY SEATED... END OF
Anonymous
2021-12-18 13:12:54
This article needs to be changed. Mr Balding was found NOT guilty of death by dangerous driving in the court today. Articles like this really need to do their research instead of taking a side without compelling evidence.
Anonymous
2021-12-18 13:55:16
But found guilty of Death by Careless driving as stated above. The bus was stationary when Mr Childs stood up to get off..
rob
2021-12-18 14:06:22
it was a pure accident no one should go to prison for an accident if he does the justice system is so wrong i fill for my childs family but mr balding has family aswell so please keep ur opinions to ur self
Shirley
2021-12-18 14:11:36
Rosemary tucker Tucker, he has! He also pleaded guilty so this is not a case of innocent until proved guilty. All he waits for now is SENTENCING. It's tragic that a man has died because of yet another arrogant bus driver. Not all of them are like that and some are quite helpful, but then you get one like this who obviously wanted to show off a bit as his girlfriend was riding around in the bus with him throughout his shift. Is that legal! Unfortunately this does sound yet again one of those situations we hear too much of, a little bit of power goes to their heads.
Anon
2021-12-18 14:47:29
Minnie Mouse. The bus was stationary when Mr Childs got up. The air brake wasn’t applied and the bus lerched forward nearly 2m because the driver lost control of the vehicle. Get your facts straight or wind your neck in
Robert Withers
2021-12-18 18:56:26
can people please keep there opinions to there self please mr childs has family that can see these comments and so does mr balding reading all this aint gonna help either family deal with whats going on so please for both of the familys can u please button it
Fairy2
2021-12-19 10:35:34
I encountered with a friend on the 724 Arriva bus going to Galleria Hatfield. This was 2yrs ago, a driver that constantly kept talking to someone, taking his eye off the road, he braked I fell forward and hurt my back, my friend was hurt also. Reported this Arriva sent me several apologetic messages, promised to look into this incident, and collaborated the CCTV footage, not heard a word since. Please seats near drivers are now roped of, at least drivers can concentrate on our safely more
Shaun
2021-12-19 16:38:31
I'm surprised the bus drivers don't have more accidents on the road the way they drive I'm surprised some of them have got bloody licences.
P.
2021-12-20 05:44:45
Shirley - do you and anyone else here actually read? Do you actually have any awareness as to what happened? The bus was stopped. He accidentally let his foot off the brake and the bus lurched forward, causing the passenger to lose his footing and fall out of the bus onto the concrete, hitting his head. This isn’t a “oh he was driving like a mad man” moment, he let his foot come off the brake - and as a driver - I am absolutely 100% sure at least once in our driving experiences, we have all done something and realised we were to blame. Our action of course didn’t always cause the loss of life but they’re a little more understandable when you recognise that humans are prone to error. This is a sad case, the driver admitted guilt despite the fact that really and truthfully it wasn’t intentional, he should not be punished severely for this... perhaps in future be a little more understanding of the events that unfold before assuming every bus driver is a lunatic in a tuna can.
D
2021-12-20 09:16:32
There's alot of comments regarding the driving skills of a bus driver considering they have had to gain 2 licence 1st a car then bus which isn't just given out but none about other road users or the behaviour of passangers ie walking down the bus before it stops not sitting down or paying attention when got the noise in there phone. There's no reference in this article to the fact the passanger was intoxicated when bordering the bus and the bus in question does not cut out when doors are open as it's manufactured that way. The doors won't even open unless hand break is applied. As for the route changes its the councils decisions that often the drivers get the flact It's an unfortunate accident and tragic not disputing that but to place blame and then state all bus driver's is just ridiculous and shows a total miss understanding of what a bus driver's job involves
D
2021-12-20 09:17:57
There's alot of comments regarding the driving skills of a bus driver considering they have had to gain 2 licence 1st a car then bus which isn't just given out but none about other road users who buses driver's have to react to or the behaviour of passangers ie walking down the bus before it stops not sitting down or paying attention when got the noise in there phone. There's no reference in this article to the fact the passanger was intoxicated when bordering the bus and the bus in question does not cut out when doors are open as it's manufactured that way. The doors won't even open unless hand break is applied. As for the route changes its the councils decisions that often the drivers get the flact It's an unfortunate accident and tragic not disputing that but to place blame and then state all bus driver's is just ridiculous and shows a total miss understanding of what a bus driver's job involves
Anon
2021-12-20 19:41:38
D. No evidence Mr Childs was intoxicated and on this bus the doors do in fact open without the air brake applied. But don’t let a little thing like fact get in the way of your gripping novel
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