 One pupil died and about 20 were injured in the coach crash in France |
Drivers at a Midlothian bus firm whose coach crashed in France killing a schoolgirl failed to take proper rest breaks, putting passengers lives at risk, an inquiry has heard. Katherine Fish, 15, died and 20 others were injured when the coach taking pupils from Largs Academy in Ayrshire crashed last June.
A Traffic Commissioners' inquiry heard that government vehicle inspectors took away tachograph and duty records from Allan's of Gorebridge, the operators of the coach.
The investigation surrounded a two month period between May and July last summer during which inspectors found that tachographs, which monitor speed and distance travelled, were falsified at a rate of one every two days.
On 45 occasions over the period the company's drivers did not get enough rest during a day's work.
Period of inspection
Much of the questioning on the second day of the inquiry was directed at driver Thomas Peacock, an employee of Allan's for six years.
Over the period of the inspection it was shown that he had worked 53 out of 57 days.
On one occasion, the night of the European Champions League final in Glasgow, inspectors claimed he changed to a second tachograph in order to split his hours.
At the start of the hearing, lawyers for the company said this was not an inquiry into the crash in France.
Mark Chisholm, who was driving the coach which crashed, is still to stand trial in France.
The Traffic Commission hearing continues.
The commissioner has the power to revoke a company's licence, suspend the licence for a period of weeks or months or restrict the number of vehicles it can operate.
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