Driver speaks of tragic bus accident

THE driver of a bus that crashed in Navan, killing five schoolgirls, has told investigators the rear of the vehicle skidded as he braked approaching roadworks, according to reports.

John Hubble spoke for the first time at length to Garda investigators late last week, more than a week after the tragedy on the Kentstown Road.

Sources close to the investigation told one Sunday newspaper that Mr Hubble told he braked twice approaching the temporary traffic lights at the site of the road works.

As he pressed the brakes the second time, the rear of the bus skidded and smashed into at least one of the two cars which are believed to have collided with each other just prior to the bus coming on the scene.

The bus continued to skid before turning over and ending on its side, with the front facing the direction it had been travelling from.

Mr Hubble's testimony suggests the surface of the road and the weather conditions it had been raining heavily played a part in the accident.

Five girls, Clare McCluskey, 18, Deirdre Scanlon, 17, Aimee McCabe, 15, Lisa Callan, 15, and Sinead Ledwidge, 15, all died in the crash. Dozens of other children were injured.

Three separate investigations have been launched by the Gardaí, Bus Eireann and the Health and Safety Authority.

The HSA closed down the road works four days after the crash after it emerged Meath County Council did not have a health and safety plan in place. The works began again the following Monday.