Bus Driver Jailed After School Bus Crashes Into Railway Bridge
Martin Walker has been slammed with a three-year jail sentence and a driving ban lasting four and a half years after his school bus smashed into a low railway bridge on Wellhouse Lane at 8am on September 10, 2020.
Families Watch As Justice Is Served
Relatives of the students on board packed the courtroom to hear the chilling details. Her Honour Judge Angela Morris handed down the sentence, marking the end of a harrowing chapter for those affected.
Prosecutor Nicholas Cotter read victim impact statements from the three students most seriously hurt in the accident. All suffered deep facial cuts, with long-lasting effects:
- An aspiring model now unable to continue her career due to nerve damage and scars.
- A hopeful footballer forced to abandon his dreams after injuries sustained in the crash.
- A pupil struggling with ongoing anxiety caused by the traumatic incident and the screams from the crash.
Driver Ignored Clear Warnings Before Crash
Bernadette Kearney from the CPS blasted: “Witness statements and CCTV proved that Martin Walker took the decision to disregard road signs warning of height restrictions and instead made an entirely dangerous manoeuvre. He demonstrated a clear disregard for the safety of his passengers.”
Walker’s barrister claimed he had been put on new daytime routes to spend more time with his disabled wife and that his training was incomplete. Walker reportedly missed the correct turn and was unaware he had taken the wrong route, having only been a passenger on the familiarisation trip.
Injuries, Emergency Response & Aftermath
The bus was transporting pupils to Henry Beaufort School. Fortunately, 57 students escaped unscathed, but 15 others were hurt. Three serious injuries were treated at hospital, while 12 sustained minor injuries—most treated on-site by paramedics.
The top deck of the double-decker bus was ripped off in the crash, prompting deployment of two air ambulances from Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and Dorset.
South Central Ambulance Service praised the quick response from 999 calls, dispatching eight ambulances, specialist paramedics, and a Hazardous Area Response Team. Paul Haly from SCAS said:
“Attending crews faced a challenging scene with distressed children but worked closely with Hampshire Fire & Rescue and Police to quickly control the area and deliver top care. Thankfully, ten injured pupils were treated and sent home, while five needed hospital treatment.”
Hampshire Police confirmed the serious collision caused a road closure on Wellhouse Lane between Andover Road North and School Lane.
