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Last Updated:  Wednesday, 2 April, 2003, 06:06 GMT 07:06 UK
Campaign follows boy's bus death
EST bus having crashed in to a tree at Ystradowen
Stuart was on the top deck when the bus crashed
Friends and family of a boy killed when his school bus plunged off a bridge are taking on the UK Government to force legal changes.

Stuart Cunningham-Jones, 12, died when the double-decker carrying 75 pupils home from Cowbridge Comprehensive School crashed in December.

Now friends and relatives have founded "Stuart's Campaign" to lobby for tighter school bus safety restrictions.

They say they want to prevent more children being killed in similar accidents.

Crash

At least 10 classmates were injured when their bus fell off a narrow humpbacked bridge as it travelled through Stuart's home village of Ystradowen.

We know exactly what we need to do both in and out of court if we are to get a proper hearing for our cause
David Cunningham-Jones
The vehicle fell in to a field and came to rest on its side after hitting a tree. Stuart was sitting on the top deck. A police investigation is continuing.

Operated by local firm EST for Vale of Glamorgan council, the 92-capacity vehicle had no seatbelts.

The Department for Transport told BBC News Online school bus safety responsibility lies with local authorities and seatbelts should be fitted on all vehicles.

But that rule applies only to coaches and minibuses and not double-deckers.

Laws

Parents of about 70 children involved in the crash last December are now channelling their shock in to plugging what they say are gaps in public policy governing schoolbuses.

Stuart Cunningham-Jones
Stuart's name is used for the new campaign
"The police investigation is taking a long time," said Stuart's father, David Cunningham-Jones.

"We believe that the delay shows how complex the law is.

"But we have taken our own detailed legal advice and know exactly what we need to do both in and out of court if we are to get a proper hearing for our cause."

Regulation

South Wales Police said there were no mechanical defects on the bus which crashed.

Some children had complained of "horseplay" and overcrowding on some rows of seats.

EST runs other buses to schools in the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan region.

Partner campaign group BUSK's Pat Harris said: "Regulations are in place to control the transportation of livestock.

"There are no such regulations in place for children. It could be said that cattle are more important than children."





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SEE ALSO:
Boy killed in bus crash named
03 Dec 02  |  Wales
Pupils escape freak bus crash
12 Jul 01  |  Wales
School provides bus minder
31 Mar 03  |  Wales


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