Peshwari Naan

BBC News website shows on 31st July 2007...

Coach driver in court over deaths

A coach driver has appeared in court charged with the deaths of three people who were killed in a crash on the M25 near Heathrow Airport.

Philip Rooney, 48, from Lanarkshire, faces three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The London-to-Aberdeen National Express coach overturned on the M4/M25 slip road on 3 January. Two people died soon afterwards and a third died on 1 July.

Mr Rooney was granted unconditional bail by Reading magistrates.

He is due to appear at Reading Crown Court on 8 November.

Christina Toner, 76, from Dundee, and 30-year-old Yi Di Lin, a Chinese national, died in the crash.

John Carruthers, 78, of Chertsey, Surrey, died six months later in hospital.

Transport Briefing reports on 23rd July 2007...

Driver charged following National Express coach crash
Filed 23/07/07

The coach driver arrested in connection with the National Express crash earlier this year has been charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Philip Rooney, aged 48, of Lanarkshire, was charged this afternoon (23 July) following a decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service, which considered all the evidence presented to them by Roads Policing officers from Thames Valley Police.

Special caseworker lawyer Denis Burke from the CPS said: "After months of careful consideration, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence against Mr Rooney for there to be a realistic prospect of a conviction. As such, I have today authorised the police to charge Mr Rooney with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988."

The crash occurred on a slip road between the M4/M25 motorways on 3 January (Transport Briefing 05/01/07). Christina Toner, 76, from Dundee, and 30-year-old Yi Di Lin, a Chinese national, died shortly after the collision. John Carruthers, 78, of Chertsey, Surrey, died in hospital earlier this month on 1 July.

Rooney has been released on bail to appear before Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 31 July.

The Guardian posts a Press Association story on 23rd July 2007...

Coach driver charged over M25 crash

Press Association
Monday July 23, 2007 5:03 PM

A coach driver has been charged in connection with the deaths of three people killed in a coach crash on the M25, Thames Valley Police said.

Philip Rooney, 48, from Lanarkshire, Scotland, has been charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Special caseworker lawyer Denis Burke from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "After months of careful consideration, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence against Mr Rooney for there to be a realistic prospect of a conviction.

"As such, I have authorised the police to charge Mr Rooney with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988."

The National Express coach, which was travelling from Heathrow Airport to Scotland following the Christmas break, crashed on the slip road of the M4/M25 on January 3.

Two people died shortly after the collision and a third person died this month.

Rooney has been released on bail and will appear at Reading Magistrates' Court next Tuesday.

BBC News website shows on 23rd July 2007...


Coach driver faces death charges
A coach driver has been charged over the deaths of three people who were killed in a crash on the M25 near Heathrow Airport.

Philip Rooney, 48, of Lanarkshire, Scotland, faces three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The London-to-Aberdeen National Express coach overturned on the M4/M25 slip road on 3 January. Two people died soon after and a third died on 1 July.

Mr Rooney is due to appear before Reading magistrates on 31 July.

Christina Toner, 76, from Dundee, Scotland, and 30-year-old Yi Di Lin, a Chinese national, died in the crash.

John Carruthers, 78, of Chertsey, Surrey, died six months later in hospital on 1 July.

Claire Long writes on 21st July 2007...

What was not as much fun, however, was the trip to Brighton yesterday. Thinking we had gotten a good deal for coach ticekts, the three of us (me, Angela, and Daniel) booked our tickets a month in advance. This was, in hindsight, a bad idea since the chances of there being a clear weekend this summer seem to be about .01%. Needless to say, it cold and overcast when we got on the bus at 8am (after Angela forgot her tube pass and Daniel his ticket, it was an eventful morning). We then sat in traffic to get out of London for awhile, and as soon as that was finished, it started down pouring. At some point, we had to switch buses because the driver was going to run out of driving hours. That actually was nice, since we got a better driver, even if the bus itself felt like the Arctic. The DJ on the radio at some point referred to Friday as something along the lines of one of the darkest, rainest days Britain had seen in awhile. And we wanted to go to the beach.

We got into Brighton a bit after 10:30, about half an hour late. Once there, we saw the very strange rock beach, stuck our feet feet in the surprisingly not freezing water, had delightful fish n chips, walked up and down the “famous” Brighton Pier, and had cheap and delicious ice cream overlooking the ocean.

This posed a problem, as it was 1pm, and our super cheap coach tickets were for a 6:00 return bus. We went to the bus station, where we just missed the 1pm bus, bought new 10 GBP tickets, went and saw some palace that looked vaguely Indian and whose name I can’t remember, read the review of the Harry Potter book, and went back to the bus stop to catch the 2pm bus. Just before 2, however, the site supervisor announced that there was bad flooding all across Southern England and parts of London, and that everything would be extremely delayed. Around 2:30, a coach going to Gatwick (airport) showed up and it was decided that all the London bound would get on that coach and change at Gatwick. However, once we got to Gatwick, National Express informed us that there weren’t any coaches on their way to London, so they were going to put us on the 30 minute Gatwick Express. Angela and I got really excited about this, but alas, it obviously didn’t go as planned. For about 45 minutes, every 5 or 10 minutes or so, someone would announce over the PA system that a train to Victoria was delayed or canceled.

A non-express train bound for Victoria eventually arrived, and National Express decided we could ride on it, so we shoved ourselves onto the standing room train. We then stood like that for 2 hours (the train was scheduled for about 50 minutes) as we crawled at 2 miles an hour through what seemed like every single train station between Gatwick and Victoria Station. We sat in a queue waiting to get into Victoria (since all sorts of other trains were also delayed) for about 20 minutes within site of the station; we could have walked faster. Seriously, no lie. Anyway, after finally getting back at 6, five hours after we had wanted to leave, I was not overly thrilled with Brighton. I’m sure it is fantastic and cute and all sorts of other adjectives, but it was so totally not worth the maybe 3 hours we were there. As we kept saying, however, “at least it will make a good travel story.” Thus, why I’m telling you here. By the end of of the train trip, saying “remember that time we went to Brighton” was good for a good five minutes of laughter.

Thing I’m Looking Forward to Tomorrow: More Indian food from out on Brick Lane after I go to (yet another) market, Spitafields. Lesson #9 I’ve Learned in London: The British transportation system, although better than the states, is not always as wonderful as I thought it was.

BBC News website shows on 20th July 2007...

Coach crash injuries caused death

A passenger who suffered "horrific injuries" in a coach crash which claimed two lives has become its third victim six months after the accident.

John Carruthers, 78, of Chertsey, Surrey, was hurt when the National Express coach overturned on the slip road of the M4/M25 on January 3.

He died on 1 July but police could not say if the crash caused his death.

But post-mortem examination results released on Friday confirmed he died as a result of his injuries.

Mr Curruthers, who was known as Jack, was discharged from hospital but returned many times for further treatment.

'Sense of humour'

He leaves a widow, Norma, two daughters and five grandchildren.

He was born in Glasgow and after school became a research petroleum chemist for BP in Hamburg, Germany. He was a keen golfer and enjoyed Scottish dancing, running the local society for many years.

He and his wife had lived in the Chertsey area since 1957.

The family said: "Jack's sense of fairness, consideration for others and sense of humour never left him even after the accident and his horrific injuries, and in intensive care he would joke with the nurses.

"He remained positive and worked hard to regain his fitness, intending to drive and play golf again."

The coach was travelling from Heathrow Airport to Scotland following the Christmas break.

The driver was arrested and is due to answer police bail on 23 July.

Police said the investigation was "ongoing".


Liza Williams writes on 19th July 2007...

Coach station bomb alert causes hours of mayhem

A BOMB scare caused chaos in Liverpool city centre yesterday – with roads sealed off and buildings evacuated – when an unattended suitcase, which contained wires, a clock and a phone, was found at the National Express coach station, on Norton Street.

Police said they were dealing with a suspect package as the station and the surrounding roads of Fraser Street and Camden Street were evacuated and sealed off from around 11.20am.

The cordon was later widened to other roads including London Road and Islington.

Just before 3.30pm, a controlled explosion was carried out. Shortly after the cordons were lifted and people were let back into their homes and work places.

The scare caused traffic jams throughout the city centre for several hours.

The security guard who found the suitcase was Gezim Puca, while working for GDM, which covers National Express stations.

He said: “A man approached me asking if he could leave his luggage, which was three suit cases, in the station. I said ‘no’ but he then asked a fellow passenger to watch them and left.

“The passenger told me, as he wanted to go. We told the police and together me and the officer opened one case, which had a phone, clock and wires in it.

“We were worried and the police saw it as suspicious, so they sealed off the area shortly afterwards.”

A businessman who runs a company on Fraser Street waited outside the cordon all afternoon to be let back into his office.

He said: “I have worked around here for 40 years and nothing on this scale has ever happened.

“I got a knock on the door from the police telling me to evacuate at about noon, so I have none of my belongings with me, not even any cash, so all I can do is wait for them to let me back in.

“People from all over the place come to this station so I suppose it is a prime target.”

Kevin Turner was fixing a boiler in the station when it was evacuated. He could not get home because his car was trapped within the cordon.

He said: “There were 60-odd people in that place, so I don’t think you can take any chances – if they are going to do anywhere, it is going to be a coach or railway station.

“I am just hanging around, waiting to get my car back. I might stay in a hotel tonight because I am from Newcastle and it will take ages to get home.

“I was supposed to pick my daughter up from school but my wife has had to leave work early to do it”.

Kath Jackson, from Dovecot, was left waiting for a bus. She said: “It is really frightening. We’ve had two scares close together now.”

“It just reminds you of Warrington and the IRA bomb – it makes you realise that we are a target, just like London. It makes me scared for my children growing up.”

National Express buses continued to run from outside St Georges Hall.

A 17-year-old man is being interviewed by police as a result of this incident. He has not been arrested in connection with any offence.

Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan thanked the public for their patience.

She said: “I would like to issue my sincere thanks to the public for their vigilance, co-operation and patience today.

“The primary concern of Merseyside Police is the safety of public and this is why it was necessary to implement a series of road closures.

“The suitcase left at the bus station did give us some cause for concern. As is procedure in this situation, the Army carried out a controlled explosion but I am pleased to report its contents did not pose a threat to the public.

“It should be reiterated that the public do have a responsibility not to leave luggage unattended. Particularly in the current climate, it is essential that everyone acts responsibly about their belongings in public places.”

Council leader’s thanks and appreciation

LEADER of Liverpool council Warren Bradley said: "Thousands of people faced severe disruption in being evacuated from their homes and workplaces.

"Many more had their travel plans severely disrupted as a consequence of the evacuation and the security cordon thrown around the area.

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the patience and understanding shown by everyone who had to put up with the delays and upheaval today.

"The paramount concern of the police and emergency services is the safety of everyone in the city. The heightened security situation in the country means we have to take every threat and every possible danger very seriously. We cannot take chances with people’s lives.

"Today’s incident, closely following the evacuation of Liverpool John Lennon Airport earlier this month, is a reminder of the dangers we all face. I would ask the people of Liverpool to remain vigilant at all times and to report anything suspicious to the police.

"These security incidents are likely to cost businesses in the city thousands of pounds.

"It is a cost they could well do without. However, our economy is robust and growing and I know just how resilient commerce in the city is and I am confident business will bounce back even stronger."

BBC News website shows on 18th July 2007...

Man quizzed after security alert
A man being is questioned in connection with a security alert which brought parts of Liverpool to a standstill.

Roads were closed after a member of the public reported a suspect suitcase at the National Express coach station on Norton Street just after 1100 BST.

Police cordoned off the area and Army explosives experts were called to the scene just after 1100 BST.

A controlled explosion was carried out and roads which had been closed off were reopened.

Islington, London Road and Norton Street had been closed, causing traffic congestion in the city centre.

A security cordon had been put in place earlier to allow detectives to check the nearby area.

Detectives have thanked the public for their co-operation and said the man had not been arrested but was helping police with their inquiries.

Steve Wheeler writes on 17th July 2007...

I'm back safely on British soil again, courtesy of British Airways, who always get you there in the end... I'm worried about National Express though. They seem to be incapable of joined-up-thinking. They got me from Gatwick to Heathrow OK, but then I sat waiting for an eternity at Heathrow central bus station for the 500 service to Plymouth. It was delayed by over two hours due to 'traffic congestion' in London. (So much for Ken Livingston's congestion charge, which makes craploads of money for the council, and no improvement in traffic flow). The bus behind it actually arrived first and there was pandemonium as both sets of passengers tried to board simultaneously. The driver had to fight them off with his clipboard, and he might even have used a rude word, but I can't be certain as someone's elbow was in my ear.

Eventually, my bus set off amidst squally showers and very un-July weather. Such a constrast from the 37 degrees I left behind in Heraklion. What a summer - British weather is not good for the soul. We stopped for a 15 minute break at the Gordano service station just outside Bristol. Would you believe it... inside they were playing Cliff Richard singing 'O Little Town of Bethlehem!' No, I am not making it up - but I thought, how very appropriate, given the wintry torrents of rain outside.

The Fucking Angry Man writes on 16th July 2007...

Dear God,

I am very very sorry for my earlier rant at foreign students on buses, published elsewhere on this blog. I never expected you to read it, but realise that you must have done, because you punished me by forcing me to sit on a National Express coach from London to Bournemouth yesterday with APPROXIMATELY FIFTY OF THE NOISY CUNTS.

I was particularly happy at the french TWAT sat next to me playing his PSfuckingP all the way through the journey, involving a game where a siren could be heard constantly. Not too bad through headphones, but no - the little surrender monkey had the volume fucking blaring out.

The obligatory 'got together on our foreign school trip couple' were sat in front of me too, copping off sloppily for the entire journey. Not so bad if they weren't such terrible kissers - I thought the first three rows of seats on the coach would have to be painted blue as occupants might get wet. It must have been like french kissing a washing machine.

Some were russian, and one of them had bought a digital camera, and spent the whole journey photographing his mates, then showing them the phtograph. In Russia, this is the funniest thing a person can to, apart from setting fire to a bear. My, how they laughed.

Everywhere I turned, there was something causing the anger within me to seethe. I was well chuffed with the fact that one twat spent 80% of the journey on the stairs to the toilet, chatting up some absolute hound who had clearly sat as far away from him as possible - get the fricking hint, fella. His precarious position meant that he slammed into the back of my seat with every turn and change of speed, which was a really welcome experience. The only highlight came when we took a bend a bit quick for him, and he fell backwards down the stairs with a squeal, accidentally slamming the panic button in the bog so the coach driver had to stop. Even this delicious moment was spoiled for me by the cackling of his international chums though.

Anyway, God, I promise to be more understanding of inbred foreign cunts with no idea of how to behave in a socially acceptable fashion from now on.

Oh wait, no I won't. You bearded cunt.

Herts and Essex Observer writes on 12th July 2007...

Terror fears 'stamped out' after coach crash

FEARS that Stansted Airport had been the target of a terrorist attack when a coach crashed into the bus station terminal were quickly dispelled.

The accident happened just before 2pm last Thursday when a National Express bus smashed into the waiting room, shattering a couple of panes of glass and leaving a woman with minor injuries.

With its stark similarities to the June 30 terror attack at Glasgow Airport - when a blazing Cherokee Jeep was driven at the terminal building - a Stansted spokesman said moves were quickly taken to "stamp out" any suggestion that the coach station had been targeted by extremists.

"The people who saw what happened knew it wasn’t anything more than a pure accident," he said.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were quickly in attendance and the area around the bus and waiting room was cordoned off and off-limits for two to three hours.

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said that the woman who was hurt suffered minor facial injuries. She was taken to Harlow’s Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment. It is believed she was in the waiting room when the accident happened.

Two other members of the public were checked over by paramedics but did not require hospital treatment. The driver was unhurt.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said that given the national circumstances the accident was "poor timing".

A National Express spokesman was unavailable for comment.

Restrictions on the dropping off of passengers outside the terminal, which had been in place since the Glasgow attacks, were lifted at about 2am on Thursday last week.

The airport spokesman said that there was still an increased number of police officers patrolling in and around the terminal, but that otherwise it was business as usual at Stansted.

BBC News website shows on 9th July 2007...

Heathrow coach crash victim dies

A pensioner who received "horrific injuries" when a coach crashed on the motorway near Heathrow has died six months after the incident.

John Carruthers, 78, from Chertsey, Surrey, died in hospital on 1 July. A post-mortem examination was held but cause of death has not been confirmed.

Two people died in January when the National Express coach overturned on the slip road of the M4/M25.

The coach driver was arrested by police and bailed to return later this month.

In a police statement, Mr Carruthers family said: "His sense of fairness, consideration for others and sense of humour never left him, even after the accident and his horrific injuries, and in intensive care he would joke with the nurses."

"He remained positive and worked hard to regain his fitness, intending to drive and play golf again."

Mr Carruthers was born in Glasgow and after school became a research chemist for BP in Hamburg, Germany.

He was a keen golfer and enjoyed Scottish dancing and ran the local society for many years.

Mr Carruthers had two daughters and five grandchildren.

BBC News website shows on 5th July 2007...

Coach crashes at Stansted Airport

An inquiry has been started after a coach crashed at Stansted Airport.

The accident happened at lunchtime in the coach park of the Essex airport and left one passenger with minor injuries.

A police spokeswoman said the coach hit a waiting room and a bench as it prepared to depart. She said the cause of the accident was being investigated.

The 38 people on board the National Express service, which was travelling to London, were transferred to another vehicle.

The driver was treated for shock.

Muscle 750 writes on 11th July 2007...

Not to bad although everytime i go to London one driver whose been doin it for years likes to go on a tour of heathrow plane spotting, i have witnessed two passengers asking why we went this way he got somewhat stressed saying ive done this for 20 years etc. I have also witnessed one falling asleep on the M4 at 1am luckily he woke when he hit the rumble strips and then drove with his window wide open and i sat in front froze to death.
i have also seen on numerous times people running into victoria to catch the 11.30pm coach only to see the driver smilling and leaving them behind. the next bus is 7.30am!
also the timetable from gloucester to london could be greatly improved there is a evening one at 7pm to london the next 2.30am the following morning, one at say 10pm would be very helpful

Sunshine Kate writes on 2nd July 2007...

Coach desperation


Hi all. I've signed up onto this site with a false name specially to see if anyone has any bright answers to my question becasue its a bit embarrassing and i can't talk about it with anyone I know.


- I'm 23 year oldgirl and in order to see my boyfriend at the weekends I have to make a long National express coach journey on a friday night. There is no option, I have to do it.


I have a small bladder and I always need the toilet about an hour into the 2 and half hour journey and there are no stops. THe coach toilet ALWAYS seems to be out of order. I know now that I have to do something about it because last weekend I got so desperate that I had to wee into a water bottle - girls, I don't know if you've ever tried to do this on a coach. It went everywhere, made a loud noise, everyone looked and now I don't want to go on thsi coach again but have to.


In short - have to see my boyfriend, can't even nearly afford the train, can't drive, try to drink as little water as possible before going - still need to pee before 2 and a half hours.


Sorry this has been so long but PLEASE answer if you have a suggestion or an idea I haven't thought of. thank you.

Mark Muldoon writes on 26th June 2007...

Say what you like about Glastonbury Festival, it's never anything less then a huge event. I was there for the forth time in a row this year, and have now written a review of it. For you to read with your eyes and that.

It all starts at 10:20 in Nottingham Broadmarsh Bus Station with Harriet, and the beginning of a deeply unpleasant coach journey. Before setting out we're warned that the air-conditioning isn't working. No big deal when we're getting nice air flow through windows whilst pelting down the motorway, but just you wait for the 2 hours spent at crawling speed once you get near the festival. Sweltering does not even begin to describe it. Still, we're uncomplaining people, and at least Harriet's got a few links on Radio 1 to do to keep us entertained for a bit (which would include us both singing 'The Wheels On The Bus' to Edith Bowman's 4 million listeners, as well as getting Divine Comedy - National Express played, something I'm particularly proud of).

So 2 hours on the swelterbus pass, and we approach the festival's makeshift bus station. Except, in a momentary confusion our silly coach driver mistakes a warden's 'come on in' hand signal to mean 'go that other way please', and the coach makes it's way in the opposite direction despite passenger protest and another long queue that we are now roaring past. The coach has to go find the nearest roundabout before rejoining the queue, and we have to spend an extra hour and a half rapidly dehydrating aboard that humid hell hole. FTO National Express: please stop subcontracting out lucrative festival operations to idiots. Thank you.

Leytr added this video of a National Express 420 service driver announcement to You Tube on 20th June 2007. This speech was so long that the video had to be split into two parts. The first lasted 2 minutes 07 seconds and the second part of the video lasted 2 minutes 15 seconds. That is 4 minutes 22 seconds of continuous talking by a National Express driver whilst driving a coach through Central London traffic. Salsabil will let the public make their own view on the safety risks involved in this long announcement that was performed whilst driving.