Walkers pull crisp ad after complaints about bus crash scene 28/03/2008 - 17:47:44
A UK crisps manufacturer today withdrew a TV advert which shows the top of a bus being sliced off, following dozens of complaints from viewers.
Walkers said it now plans to cut the offending scene from the ad, with the new version airing from tomorrow.
Among those who complained was the survivor of a Glasgow bus crash in which two adults and three children died.
The advert shows former footballer Gary Lineker driving a bus while eating crisps.
He is so busy munching the snack that he fails to notice a low bridge sign and crashes into it. The top of the bus is sliced off with a loud crash.
Louise Penman spent two weeks in hospital after a double-decker carrying Girl Guides from the Drumchapel area of the city crashed into a railway bridge in 1994.
The 24-year-old was shocked by the advert.
She told the Evening Times newspaper in the UK: “It has been a horrific couple of weeks. We feel more for people who lost family – we are still here. I do not see how they can justify an advert like that for a bag of crisps.
“It’s so graphic and horrific. I can’t believe they think it is fine because it was such a tragic time for us.”
She spent three days in intensive care and needed 58 stitches in her head following the accident.
The newspaper reported that the young woman’s mother, Janice Gallie, has also sent an email of complaint.
The ASA said it was in the process of deciding whether there were grounds for an investigation.
Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council wrote to Walkers to voice his concerns about the advert.
In his letter, he wrote: “Many people who live in my ward have been deeply upset by your advert as it has brought back very painful memories.
“It also trivialises for them what was a horrendous and devastating accident.”
Walkers apologised for any offence caused and said it has decided to cut the controversial scene from the advert.
The ad was withdrawn from terrestrial channels today and Walkers has also asked satellite channels to pull it.
Richard Evans, chief executive of Walkers, said: “Some viewers called our consumer care line telling us the last scene in the latest Walkers advert upset them.
“We’ve listened and decided to edit the current advert to remove this scene.
“The new version of the ad will air from Saturday.
“It was never our intention to offend anyone and we’re very sorry that some viewers found it upsetting.”
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