Truckie Charged over School Boy’s Death

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A startling reminder of the consequences of truck accidents and dangerous driving behaviour is the tragic incident that occurred in NSW last year and claimed the life of young boy on his way to school. The crash occurred when the truck hit into a school bus, killing one of the school children on board.

Perhaps what is even more disturbing is that the truckie was under the influence of an illicit substance at the time and was found to be negligent, resulting in him being charged. He was lucky to escape unharmed. Sadly the nine year old boy was not so lucky.  Another child was seriously injured but narrowly escaped death.

Read about the tragic incident below, the post was taken from Bordermail.com.au:

Photo Source: Singleton Argus

Police have charged a truck driver over a crash that killed a young boy in a school bus in the NSW Hunter last year.

The 34-year-old Queensland man was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and driving a motor vehicle with a prescribed illicit drug present in blood/urine over the September 10 crash involving the prime mover and a school bus at the intersection of Church and Kelso Streets, Singleton.

Nine-year-old Harry Dunn died at the scene while two seven-year-old boys suffered serious head injuries and were taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

The bus driver – a 54-year-old man – and the remaining four children on the bus were taken to Singleton Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.

All were released a short time later.

The truck driver – a 34-year-old Queensland man – was not injured but was taken to Singleton Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1277916/truck-driver-charged-over-fatal-school-bus-crash/?cs=2452

According to Transport Roads and Maritime Services NSW driving any vehicle safely requires mental alertness and good coordination which is not possible when under the influence of prescription and non-prescription medicines. So in other words even prescription medicine can negatively affect your ability to drive safely and combining different medications can be even more detrimental.

Prescription medication causes drowsiness, blurred vision, poor concentration, slower reaction times and a feeling of aggression which may result in more dangerous manoeuvres and decisions on the road.

They advise that drivers should look for and follow instructions on warning labels of medications if they plan on driving. It may be a good idea to ask the pharmacist or doctor to explain anything you do not understand because sometimes the warning labels can be confusing.

This post highlights the frightening reality that the parents of the children had to endure:

Two other boys were seriously injured in the crash including Harry’s brother, Luke, then aged seven, and had to be airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

The bus had been only blocks from its destination when the incident occurred at 3.50pm. Witnesses said several parents sprinted down the street after hearing the collision and their children’s cries for help.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/truck-driver-charged-over-school-bus-crash-20130204-2du33.html#ixzz2KXcBK7IV

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