Calls for safety measures following bus crash death

A CORONER’S jury has recommended several safety improvements be made to Dublin’s busiest junction where an English tourist was fatally injured by a bus.

Maree Buckland died after she was struck by a double-decker bus on the capital’s O’Connell Street near the Spire.

The 60-year-old suffered severe head injuries from the collision on September 15, 2005, and remained in a coma for eight days at St James’s Hospital, Dublin. She died on September 22.

As she lay critically injured on the road, her handbag, containing €1,000 in cash, a mobile phone and store and bank cards, was snatched.

Ms Buckland’s friend, Jagdish Mangat, was also hit by the bus, but recovered from her injuries.

Crying while giving evidence during the inquest at Dublin City Coroner’s Court, Ms Mangat said she remembered little about the accident.

“We were talking together as usual,” she said.

“All I remember is following other people. Other pedestrians were in front of us.

“I pointed out the airport bus on the other side. After that I remember waking up in casualty.”

Dublin City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, heard concerns that the new plaza in the capital does not have clear road markings, clear signage or drop curbing to warn pedestrians they’re entering a road.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, a jury in the court recommended the crossing be re-evaluated. They asked for a letter to be written to Dublin City Council proposing improvements, including sign-posting approaching the crossing, clear road markings and any other additions that will make the junction more apparent to pedestrians.

Bus driver John Loughrey, told the hearing he was travelling at around 20mph and had a green light when he approached the junction.

He recalls seeing groups of people waiting on both sides of the traffic lights when two women stepped from the crowd.

“When I saw the ladies step out, they were facing each other and talking to each other and they didn’t even notice they had walked out on the road,” he said.

Mr Loughrey hit the break and horn, skidding six to seven feet before hitting Ms Buckland head on.

He said it was common for people at that junction to cross the road regardless of having a red light.

One witness claimed he saw potential disasters happen every day on the junction.

Karl Henry, a civil servant who works on O’Connell Street said: “I consider it to be a dangerous junction. I’m amazed that it hasn’t happened more often.”

An inspection of the conditions and vehicle revealed the road was wet and the brake efficiency on the bus was 3% lower than required by the Department of Transport, but was not to blame for the accident.

Originally from Co Sligo, Ms Buckland and her husband, Colin, had recently bought a second home in Co Mayo.

In February drug user Jonathan Brophy, aged 24, originally from Hardwicke Street, Dublin, was jailed for 10 months for stealing Ms Buckland’s bag.

He was tracked down by gardaí after being recognised on CCTV.