EXPERTS say driver error may not be the reason for a runaway bus careering down a city centre street and injuring two pedestrians.
A First Bus caused panic on Monday as it hurtled 100 metres down Renfield Street in Glasgow after the driver reportedly stopped off to buy a drink at a newsagents.
First Bus management are now carrying out safety checks as part of an investigation into the incident which saw the bus crash into stationary vehicles leaving two people with minor injuries.
A shopkeeper said the bus driver had visited a bakery and another shop before noticing the bus was rolling down hill without him.
Transport sources suggested that if a handbrake had not been secured the vehicle would have started moving immediately.
One source, from a firm which trains bus drivers for work all across Scotland, said: “I don’t know how long a brake would take to come off entirely but I would think it would have rolled practically the moment you left the bus if it was on a slope and wasn’t on at all.
“It’s a possibility that something has gone wrong with the handbrake.
“It is possible that he has done everything correctly.
“We train drivers to switch the engine off, put the handbrake on and lock the doors before leaving the vehicle.”
Another transport source added: “I don’t know if getting off the bus is part of the policy of First Bus but I would have thought it would have started to move much sooner if he had been in two shops.
“It may not have been driver error.”
Three buses and a blue Renault Twingo were damaged by the deserted bus.
Onlookers described hearing a loud bang before noticing the bus crashing in to vehicles ahead.
The runaway bus eventually came to a halt close to St Vincent Street after crossing West George Street and hitting three buses.
Passengers on the Stagecoach bus which bore the brunt of the crash were reportedly screaming as they tried to get out of the emergency exit.
A First Glasgow spokesman said: “Our investigation is already under way, which includes reviewing the vehicle’s engineering and safety records.
“We are working closely with Police Scotland, however, it will take some time to establish all the facts.
“It is therefore too early at this stage to speculate on the cause of the incident.”
Police Scotland said the investigation is ongoing.
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