Woman struck by bus on quay seeks damages

A WOMAN hit by a Dublin Bus vehicle in which five people died when it mounted the footpath at Wellington Quay has begun a High Court action for damages. Three women and two men were killed in the accident.

Liability in the case, which opened before Mr Justice Vivian Lavan yesterday, is conceded by Dublin Bus and the case is for assessment only.

Sarah McNamara, aged 24, of Kilmacraddock, Leixlip, Co Kildare, told the court that she was standing at the bus stop on February 21, 2004, when an omnibus owned by Dublin Bus mounted the footpath and struck her. She saw a number of people trapped under the bus and saw a woman and a girl under the back wheel. She became unconscious and could not remember anything else.

She has brought a claim of negligence and breach of duty against the company.

Jack Fitzgerald SC, for Ms McNamara submitted a statement that stated Ms McNamara sustained a crush injury to her left leg and soft tissue injuries to her head and face.

She underwent three operations as a result of the accident and there was significant scarring which represented a severe cosmetic disability. This had caused and continues to cause her much upset and loss of confidence.

It was likely she was going to have a severe functional deficit in her left leg for the remainder of her life.

The hearing resumes today.