€76k award for bus driver after suspension failure

A DUBLIN Bus driver injured when the pneumatic suspension on his vehicle failed as he drove over a speed ramp has been awarded nearly €76,000 in High Court damages.

Vincent Thompson, aged 50, of Kylemore Grove, Tallaght, Dublin, sued the bus company and South Dublin County Council over the incident on the Tallaght to Bohernabreena Road on September 27, 2005, when he suffered injuries to his neck and lower back.

Mr Thompson had driven the 201 bus over three ramps on the road when, as he went over a fourth ramp, the suspension malfunctioned and caused a loss of “cushion effect” to the bus.