04 April 2024 , 18:10
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A bus driver knocked down and killed two women after accidentally pressing the accelerator instead of the brake while helping a disabled passenger.
Baruania Baros's error killed Joyce Bacon, 60, and Adele Boylin, 55, who were struck at a bus stop in Piccadilly Gardens, central Manchester. A court heard Baros, 35, pulled the Stagecoach double-decker into a stand and attempted to lower the "kneeling ramp" to help a disabled passenger, but when the ramp failed he returned to his cab and released the handbrake.
Ms Bacon died of her injuries suffered in the collision on the same day - July 10, 2022 - while mum-of-four Ms Boylin succumbed to hers five months later on December 6, 2022. Now, Baros will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court next month after he pleaded guilty today to two counts of causing death by careless driving.
Baruania Baros admitted two counts of causing death by careless drivingAndrew Hey, prosecuting, said: "The bus lurched forward. Instead of applying the brake, he pressed the accelerator which caused the bus to collide with Joyce Bacon and Adele Boylin and the bus stop."
Mr Hey said a collision investigation report said "training records" showed the bus should have been placed in neutral while the ramp was being lowered. He added: "Had the bus been in neutral, the bus would not have travelled forward and the collision would not have occurred. Equally, had he pressed the brake instead of the accelerator most likely the collision would not have occurred."
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The bus driver, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, is said to be "extremely remorseful" for the blunder. Baros has no criminal record and a clean driving license. He was given an interim driving ban until the sentencing, reports Manchester Evening News.
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Adele Boylin was a mum of four and worked at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (PA)Majid Awan, defending, said: "Mr Baros is in no way excusing what happened and he is extremely remorseful. It is no more than an unfortunate lapse of concentration.
"Tragically two members of the public did lose their lives. He does accept he left the bus in the drive but did so only because he was trying to assist a bus user with the ramp.
"Unfortunately, he has released the handbrake because from his experience he is aware that by doing so it would release the ramp. He tried to press the brake, but unfortunately pressed the accelerator."
Ms Bacon and Ms Boylin, who worked at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and was on her way home from a shift, were both from Droylsden, Greater Manchester and knew each other. In a tribute released after her death, Ms Bacon's husband Ian, who was with her at the time of the crash, described her as a "loving mother, sister and wife".
He added: "Joyce was always busy and she loved to take care of people. She was very generous by nature just like her mother. She won over people instantly with her fabulous smile. We will all miss her so much, especially me."