Peshwari Naan

Jay Shukla writes on 10th September 2009...

We missed our coach by about 10 minutes which sucked, so we phoned National Express and the person on the phone told us we could hop on another coach from Reading town centre with no problems. So we got a minicab there and waited for the next coach to London, in the meantime we decided to ring up again to double check, and the other person on the phone said we couldn't do that and we'd have to pay an extra £20 each to get home! But me and Patrick turned on our manly charm and managed to convince a coach driver going to London to let us on :D seriously that guy was a legend, he saved us!

Julie - a passenger weighing 300 lbs writes on 8th September 2009...

O/T slightly, but is there such a thing as fatism?
This weekend i went to London with friends to a big girls night out (most excellent night with good company may i add).

Anyhow our hotel did not provide breakfast (last time it did) so before getting on our National Express coach to come home we all went and brought bacon sandwiches n cups of tea. I had about three sips of my tea it was quite hot and left it at Victoria and happily boarded the bus with my sandwich neatly tucked in my sarnie bag. When i sat down i started to tuck in when the driver doing a head count asked me (in a not quiet voice) what i was eating. So i told him a bacon sandwich to which he replied you can't eat hot food on the coach, you have 5 seconds to get off the coach and eat it or it gets binned. I explained to the driver that my sandwich was not in fact hot (it had been made nearly 30 minutes earlier) and that i was diabetic and had not eaten. At which point he gave me the company policy lecture so i gave him the sandwich in the bag and told him to shove it (in the bin). Now see i could understand if a) it was hot soup i was carrying on board that could slip out of my hand and scald someone. But my complaint is this.... My partner was sat next to me with his cup of tea and sandwich bag in his hand, my friend sat in front chewing on a mouthful of sandwich and another friend had a sandwich bag on the seat next to her. Funnily enough he didn't ask them about their food or beverages but he asked the fattest person on the bus if she wanted to squeeze n waddle down the aisle then stand outside shovelling a sandwich down her neck while everyone waited and watched.... wonder why???

Am looking forward to hearing what the coach company have to say! Oh yes and he spent less time telling us to put our seat belts on than ridding me of my much needed breakfast...

Wales Online reports on 8th September 2009...

Friends in Facebook tribute to tragic Mel

A FACEBOOK group dedicated to the young mum who died in a crash at Gatwick has gained more than 700 members in just 24 hours.

The site called Melanie Wisdens (Memorable) Group has been set up by a close friend of 34-year-old Melanie, who was killed in a collision with a National Express coach on Friday. Her body will be brought back to Cardiff today.

The friend, who did not wish to be named, said: “I only set up the group at 2.30pm on Sunday and it’s just typical Mel to have all these people paying tribute.

“She would do anything for anyone and the whole time I knew her I never saw her upset. It’s devastating; it just doesn’t seem real.”

Popular Melanie had friends from all walks of life, and the group was created for them to share their stories about her.

Vicky Williams wrote on the message board: “There is so much I could say about Mel, I really don’t know where to start. I met Mel in 1992, and we clicked straight away. She was in Cocos with Laura doing the ‘heel step heel’ dance to Apparently Nothin.

“We had so much fun – 18th birthday parties, 21st birthday parties, 30th birthday parties! Carnivals, nights out in Bristol (we thought that was so adventurous!), even just a coffee in the Capitol centre, we always have things to say, and we would always be laughing. Mel had this unique ability to bring out the best side of anyone she met. Even if we were being told off for something.”

Terry Cooper said: “Vivacious was a word that could’ve been invented for Mel. What a fun lady and a happy soul.”

And Martine Hopkins wrote: “Very shocked and saddened for Melanie’s family. I didn’t know her personally, but remember her from the days of Lloyds and Liberties where I thought of her as the Cardiff Dancehall queen because of her clothes, figure and dance moves, and would often pass her through Grange as she rode her bike. Condolences to the family through this difficult time. RIP Melanie.”

Sussex Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.

No date has yet been set for a funeral.

never argue with an idiot writes on 7th September 2009...

National Express Coach Driver Announcement

The bus moves off from Victoria Coach Station in London and the driver in a very lazy dire voice:

“Ping pong! This bus is to Liverpool and Manchester.” Pause…Passengers are puzzled and getting uncomfortable in their seats.

“I am only joking this bus is to Leeds. Now I have your attention, can I please quickly tell you about safety rules? Wear you seatbelt, it is for your own safety. There are emergency exits in the front and at the back, also two on the roof.” Chuckle…

“Please be considered to fellow passengers and make your phone calls short and sweet. We don’t want to know about your love life! Same goes for laptops, music players. Keep the volume down for others’ comfort. There is a toilet at the back, do use it seated! In case of emergency braking you wouldn’t want to walk down the aisle with your pants down. I hope you will enjoy your journey with National Express, if not you can always use Megabus.”

Chuckle… “Thank you.”

Wales Online reports on 7th September 2009...

Mum ‘laughing and joking’ minutes before crash

A WELSH mum who died in a crash on her way home from Gatwick Airport was “laughing and joking” minutes before she died, her best friend said yesterday.

Melanie Wisden’s best friend spoke to the Western Mail from Tenerife where she had flown after the 34-year-old mum of one dropped her off at Gatwick Airport.

As she drove away from the Sussex airport on Friday afternoon, her Ford Ka was in collision with a National Express coach. The coach came to rest on top of Mrs Wisden’s car.

After the accident, traffic around the airport came to a standstill, with tailbacks stretching to the M25, more than seven miles away.

Travellers were seen leaving their vehicles and running towards the airport with suitcases.

Highways staff worked until 8pm to clear the roads, which were reported to be littered with abandoned vehicles.

Melanie’s family said yesterday that the Cardiff mum had only passed her test 10 months ago and had never before driven further afield than Bristol. Best friend Samantha Macatangay, of Porth, Rhondda, did not hear about the accident until after she arrived in Tenerife.

Speaking from her hotel, the mother of four said: “We had a wonderful journey up to Gatwick, we had a good laugh reminiscing; she was my best friend.

“Mel was speaking about us going on a girly holiday next year.

“It was a very close, good friendship. I have siblings but there isn’t much communication between us. Mel was more like a sister to me.

The pair met some 15 years ago while out clubbing in Cardiff, and have been close ever since, meeting up for lunch and looking after each other’s children.

Melanie’s daughter Mia, 11, was a bridesmaid at Samantha’s wedding just a couple of weeks ago.

“You can’t describe how it feels to lose someone. I feel hollow and empty at losing someone so close.”

Mrs Macatangay is trying to book flights home, but said all she has done on her honeymoon is cry.

“My husband Dean has been very supportive, he knows how close my children and I were to Mel. He is devastated for me,” she said.

“My children grew up with Mel, they are all devastated.

“I just want everyone to know how much I loved and adored her.”

Mrs Wisden, of Ely, Cardiff, had taken a day off from her job at Starbucks in Queen Street to drive her friend to the airport.

Her family, who did not know about the trip, said they initially thought the police phone call telling them about the accident was a prank call.

Mother Valerie, 56, who works at the Regency House Care Home in Ely, said: “All that went through our minds was: it’s not going to be Melanie.

“We thought Mel’s car must have been stolen because there’s no way she should’ve gone up there on her own.

“She only passed her test 10 months ago and she didn’t like motorways.

“Mel’s a big fitness fanatic, and I was telling everyone that she was going to walk through the door after being to the gym and ask why we’re all sitting around crying and worrying.”

Melanie’s sister Maxine added that Melanie had never driven further than Bristol before.

Dad Jeff, 60, a driver at RAF St Athan, her other sisters Melissa, 31, and Jessica, 17, and brother Mark, 37, are also coming to terms with losing their loved one.

Just days earlier, on Monday, Melanie had returned from her first ever holiday to Turkey.

There, she stayed in a private villa near Fethiye with her daughter Mia and neighbours from her home in Dunraven Street, next to Cardiff City FC’s former ground at Ninian Park.

A funeral date has yet to be set, but the family plan to hold a service at the Church of the Resurrection in Ely and are expecting hundreds to attend.


Wales Online reports on 7th September 2009...

Bus crash victim Melanie Wisden’s family describe their heartbreak

THE heartbroken family of bus crash mum Melanie Wisden said they initially thought the call from police telling them about the tragedy was a prank call.

None of 34-year-old mum Melanie’s immediate family knew she had driven to Gatwick to drop off her newly-wed friend Samantha Macatangay for her honeymoon flight to Tenerife.

Soon after pulling out of the North Terminal at 1.30pm on Friday, a National Express coach struck the side of Melanie’s black Ka before coming to rest on top of it. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her heartbroken sister Maxine, 32, of Ely, Cardiff, said the telephone call from police telling them about the tragedy had sent the family into shock.

“The first thing I thought was it’s not her,” she said. “I went into shock and I didn’t believe it. I thought it was a prank call.”

Melanie and Maxine’s mum Valerie, 56, said Melanie had only passed her driving test 10 months ago.

“All that went through our minds was: ‘It’s not going to be Melanie.’”

Valerie, who works at the Regency House Care Home in Ely, said they hoped her car had been stolen.

“We thought Mel’s car must have been stolen because there’s no way she should’ve gone up there on her own.

“She only passed her test 10 months ago and she didn’t like motorways.

“Mel’s a big fitness fanatic and I was telling everyone that she was going to walk through the door after being to the gym and ask why we’re all sitting around crying and worrying.”

She added that Melanie had never driven further than Bristol before.

Melanie’s dad Jeff, 60, a driver at RAF St Athan, her other sisters Melissa, 31, and Jessica, 17, and brother Mark, 37, are also coming to terms with losing their loved one.

Just days earlier, on Monday, Melanie had returned from her first-ever holiday to Turkey.

She had stayed in a private villa near Fethiye with her daughter Mia and neighbours from her home in Dunraven Street, next to Cardiff City FC’s former ground at Ninian Park.

On Friday, Melanie had taken a day off from her job at Starbucks in Queen Street to take Samantha to the airport from her Valleys home.

The two were close pals. Melanie would often look after Samantha’s children and Samantha had given Melanie the money to buy her car.

At Samantha’s wedding just two weeks ago, Melanie was proud when her daughter Mia, 11, was one of the bridesmaids.

After the accident, traffic around the airport came to a standstill, with tailbacks stretching to the M25, more than seven miles away. Travellers were even seen leaving their vehicles and running towards the airport with suitcases.

Highways staff worked until 8pm to clear the roads, which were reported to be littered with abandoned vehicles.

Mia is now living with her father Mark Dacosta, Melanie’s former partner of seven years, at his home in Llanedeyrn.

Valerie said: “What happens now is totally up to Mia. I hope she’ll come and see us every couple of weekends at least.

“This has broken her heart. They were such a lovely mother-and-daughter couple.”

Valerie added: “It’s such a waste of a life – it’s just all gone.”

In addition to her job at Starbucks, Melanie also worked at the Frankie and Benny’s restaurant in Cardiff Bay. She eventually became a shift manager at the coffee shop, where she worked alongside sister Maxine.

A funeral date has yet to be set but the family plan to hold a service at the Church of the Resurrection in Ely and are expecting hundreds to attend.

It is the second tragedy to hit Valerie’s family. When Melanie was just six months old in 1975, her sister Melinda died, aged 21 months, when she developed peritonitis after an accident in a high chair.

Mel’s best friend recalls their journey

TRAGIC Melanie’s best friend said her last memory of her would be laughing and joking together as they drove to Gatwick Airport.

Tearful Samantha Macatangay spoke to the Echo from her hotel in Tenerife, to where she flew on honeymoon after Melanie dropped her off, moments before her death.

“I can’t accept that she’s gone. We had a wonderful journey up to Gatwick; we had a good laugh reminiscing. She was my best friend,” said the mum of four.

“Mel was speaking about us going on a girly holiday next year.”

The pair met some 15 years ago while out clubbing in Cardiff, and have been close ever since, meeting up for lunch and looking after each other’s children.

Melanie’s daughter Mia, 11, was a bridesmaid at Samantha’s wedding just a couple of weeks ago.

“It was a very close friendship. I have siblings but there isn’t much communication between us. Mel was more like a sister to me. You can’t describe how it feels to lose someone so close. I feel hollow and empty.”

Mrs Macatangay, who lives in Porth, is trying to book flights home, but said all she has done on her honeymoon is cry.

“My husband Dean has been very supportive; he knows how close my children and I were to Mel. He is devastated for me,” she said. “I just want everyone to know how much I loved and adored her.”

Redhill and Reigate Life reports on 7th September 2009...

Woman dies in airport coach collision

A woman died instantly when her car was crushed by a coach in a collision at Gatwick Airport.

Melanie Wisden, 34, from Cardiff, was driving a Ford Ka when the accident happened outside the airport's North Terminal last Friday, just after 1.30pm.

The National Express coach ended up on top of the Ford at the North Terminal roundabout in Airport Way.

Emergency teams and the Sussex Air Ambulance went to the scene.

The coach driver suffered shock and was taken to hospital along with a passenger who sustained a wrist injury.

The coach was carrying about 40 passengers, who were bussed from the scene to the airport where officers took accounts from them, before they were allowed to continue their journeys.

The accident caused severe tailbacks stretching beyond the M25 and people reported seeing some flight-bound passengers walking with suitcases along the M23 and A23 to the terminal.

Inspector Keith Ellis from Sussex Police's road policing unit said: “We appreciate the frustration of road travellers caught up with this incident but the circumstances are very unusual in that the collision happened on a very busy roundabout, and also, that it involved a coach that ended up on top of the car.

“However, we must not lose sight of the fact that, sadly, a woman died, and it is essential that her death is fully investigated to meet the needs of the coroner and any subsequent court case that may arise.”

He said: “The investigative work cannot begin until the needs of those involved in the collision are attended to, and in this case, the recovery work that followed the investigation was particularly complex.

“Repairs were also needed to the road and crash barrier.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to call them on 0845 6070 999, quoting Operation Tilstone.

Rye and Battle Observer reports on 7th September 2009...

Inquiries continue into fatal car accident

POLICE are today (Monday) continuing to investigate the road accident at Gatwick on Friday when a 34-year-old woman was killed after her car was crushed under a National Express Coach.
The tragic accident caused long delays in the area including on the M23 and A23 as police interviewed the coach's 40 passengers about how the accident happened before allowing them to continue their journeys and flights from the airport.

The collision occurred on the North Terminal roundabout on Airport Way just after 1.30pm on Friday (September 4) leaving the coach on top of the woman's Ford Ka.

She was declared dead at the scene. She is believed to have come from South Wales. The coach's driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock.

Police apologised for the lengthy delays for motorists.

Inspector Keith Ellis from Sussex Police's Road Policing Unit added: "We must not lose sight of the fact that, sadly, a woman died and it is essential that her death is fully investigated to meet the needs of the coroner and any subsequent court case that may arise."

He said recovery of the vehicles was particularly complex and repairs also had to be made to the road and crash barrier.

Any witnesses should call police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Tilstone.

Wales Online reports on 6th September 2009...

Coach crash victim's family remember beautiful mum

YOUNG mum Melanie Wisden had just waved her newlywed friend off on honeymoon and was looking forward to spending the weekend with her 11-year-old daughter.

But as she drove away from Gatwick Airport and headed back to Cardiff, tragedy struck.

As she left the airport’s North Terminal at 1.30pm on Friday, a National Express coach collided with the side of her tiny black Ford Ka before coming to rest on top of it.

Melanie, 34, mum to 11-year-old Mia, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Traffic around the airport came to a standstill, with tailbacks stretching to the M25, more than seven miles away.

Travellers were even seen leaving their vehicles and running towards the airport with suitcases.

Highways staff worked until 8pm to clear the roads, which were reported to be littered with abandoned vehicles.

At home in Ely, Cardiff, her stunned family could not believe the news when police called to tell them hard-working mum Melanie was dead.

Her heartbroken sister Maxine, 32, told Wales On Sunday she originally though the phone call was a sick joke.

“The first thing I thought was it’s not her,” she said. “I went into shock and I didn’t believe it. I thought it was a prank call.”

Melanie and Maxine’s mum Valerie, 56, added: “All that went through our minds was: it’s not going to be Melanie.”

Melanie’s dad Jeff, 60, a driver at RAF St Athan, her other sisters Melissa, 31, and Jessica, 17, and brother Mark, 37, are also coming to terms with losing their loved one.

Melanie had taken a day off from her job at the city centre branch of Starbucks in Queen Street to take her newlywed friend Samantha Macatangay to the airport from her Valleys home so she could begin her honeymoon in Tenerife.

The two were close pals – Melanie would often look after Samantha’s children and Samantha had given Melanie the money to buy her car.

At Samantha’s wedding just two weeks ago, Melanie was so proud when her daughter Mia was one of the bridesmaids.

Melanie’s family said Samantha was “heartbroken” when they told her the news and was planning to return to the UK on the next available flight.

Just days earlier, on Monday, Melanie had returned from her first ever holiday to Turkey.

There, she stayed in a private villa near Fethiye with her daughter Mia and neighbours from her home in Dunraven Street, next to Cardiff City FC’s former ground at Ninian Park.

Valerie said her daughter had caught the travel bug on her very first trip abroad.

Maxine added: “I’d been bugging her for years to get a passport and go on holiday.

“We’d already planned a trip to Ayia Napa for next year. It was going to be party time!”

The two would regularly hit the town together – often heading to the Club 3000 bingo hall – and Maxine said friends would sometimes mistake one of them for the other.

“A lot of people got the names confused,” she said. “Some didn’t know which was which.

Valerie added: “Melanie was so attractive and stunning when she was all made-up to go out. She could have been a model, she had so much confidence in herself.”

“It’s such a waste of a life – it’s just all gone”

Daughter Mia is now living with her father, Mark Dacosta, Melanie’s former partner of seven years, at his home in Llanedeyrn.

Valerie said: “What happens now is totally up to Mia. I hope she’ll come and see us every couple of weekends at least.

“This has broken her heart. They were such a lovely mother and daughter couple.”

Valerie added: “It’s such a waste of a life – it’s just all gone.” Paying an emotional tribute to her daughter, she said: “We’re going to miss her so much. She will always be in our hearts for ever and ever.”

Maxine said of her sister: “She was a happy, bubbly, smiley person and she would make anyone smile.”

In addition to her job at Starbucks, Melanie also worked at the Frankie and Benny’s restaurant in Cardiff Bay and had worked at various branches of Pizza Hut in the city for around 10 years.

She eventually became a shift manager at the city’s Queen Street branch, where she worked alongside Maxine.

Sammy Dicken, who worked with the sisters around 10 years ago, said: “She always made us laugh no matter what the situation.

“Her personality was infectious and working with her was always a pleasure, especially when Maxine was working alongside.”

Melanie was also a familiar face to drivers from Cardiff Bus, whose main Sloper Road depot is just yards from her home.

“She was well-known to them,” said Valerie. “They would honk at her when they saw her riding her bike.”

Further tributes have poured in via Maxine’s page on social networking website Facebook.

More than 100 messages have been left by friends and acquaintances from as far away as America.

Maxine said: “I was having so many phone calls that I just thought: I need to get on Facebook, confirm it’s happened and let everyone know.”

A funeral date has yet to be set, but the family plan to hold a service at the Church of the Resurrection in Ely and are expecting hundreds to attend.

It is the second tragedy to hit Valerie’s family. When Melanie was just six months old, in 1975, her sister Melinda died, aged 21 months, when she developed peritonitis after an accident in a high chair.


BBC News reports on 6th September 2009...

Gatwick crash woman's lift favour

A woman who died when her car was in a collision with a coach at Gatwick airport had just dropped her friend off for a flight, it has been revealed.

Melanie Wisden, 34, from Cardiff, was killed instantly when her Ford Ka was crushed by a National Express coach just after 1330 BST on Friday.

Ms Wisden, who worked at a cafe, had an 11-year-old daughter, Mia.

Her mother Valerie told the Wales on Sunday newspaper: "It's such a waste of life - it's all just gone."

She added: "We're going to miss her so much. She will always be in our hearts for ever and ever."

She had taken the day off work from her job at Starbucks to carry out the trip to the second busiest airport in the country.

More than 100 people have left tribute messages on a Facebook page set up in memory of Ms Wisden by her sister Maxine.

The collision on Airport Way caused severe delays as access to the North Terminal was not possible from junction 9 of the M23 while collision investigators worked at the scene.

The coach driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock while a passenger had a wrist injury.

All roads were reopened by 2000 BST by which time there were several abandoned cars in the roads approaching the airport.

BBC Sussex radio reported people getting out of their vehicles and running towards the airport with their suitcases.

Passengers using the airport were advised to allow extra time for their journeys.


Wales Online reports on 5th September 2009...

Woman killed in Gatwick coach crash named

A SOUTH Wales woman killed when her car collided with a coach at Gatwick Airport has been named.

Melanie Wisden, 34, was killed instantly following the smash on the North Terminal roundabout at 1.30pm yesterday.

The National Express coach ended up on top of her Ford Ka.

It is understood Ms Wisden, of Dunraven Street, Cardiff, had dropped off a friend at the airport and was returning to South Wales when the crash happened.

Roads for miles around were seized up, with local radio reporting people getting out of their vehicles and running towards the airport with suitcases.

Friends and family have left more than 100 tributes to Ms Wisden on her sister Maxine’s Facebook page.

Sammy Dicken, who worked with Melanie at Pizza Hut 10 years ago, said: "Her smile and happiness on life will never be forgotten. If there’s one thing she taught us was live your life to the full and enjoy it."

BBC News reports on 4th September 2009...

Crash leads to Gatwick congestion

A woman motorist has died in a collision involving a coach and a car at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex.

Emergency teams including the Sussex Air Ambulance were called to the North Terminal shortly after 1330 BST.

Police said the victim was a 34-year-old woman from South Wales. The coach driver was taken to hospital with shock while a passenger had a wrist injury.

Witnesses told of seeing people delayed by road closures walking with suitcases along the M23 and A23 to the terminal.

Severe tailbacks

Sussex Police said the woman's Ford Ka collided with the National Express coach which ended up on top of her vehicle at the North Terminal roundabout.

Passengers using the airport, which is the second busiest in the country, were advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

A Highways Agency spokesman said all roads including Airport Way were reopened by 2000 BST.

But he said it would be some time before the congestion was cleared with severe tailbacks still stretching as far back as the M25 and beyond.

He also said there were several abandoned cars in the roads approaching the airport.

Transit system

Following the accident, Sussex Police had said access to the North Terminal was not possible from junction nine of the M23.

There was also the warning of delays on roads around the airport, with the closure of a slip road on the A23.

People who needed to get to the North Terminal from the M23 were advised to go to the South Terminal and use the passenger transit system, an airport spokeswoman said.

She said Gatwick Airport's website and Twitter account were carrying regular updates on the situation.

Extra airport staff were also drafted in to help passengers who may have missed flights or were running late because of the traffic congestion.


Crawley News reports on 4th September 2009...

UPDATED: Woman dies after car is in collision with coach near Gatwick

A WOMAN has died after her car was involved in a collision with a National Express coach near Gatwick Airport.

The 34-year-old woman, from south Wales, was pronounced dead at the scene after her Ford Ka was in collision with the coach outside the airport's North Terminal at around 1.30pm on Friday.

Around 40 passengers were on the coach, which ended up on top of the car. One passenger suffered a minor wrist injury.

The driver of the coach was taken to hospital suffering from shock. All the passengers were bussed to the airport where they gave their version of events to police.

The dead woman's next of kin have been informed, but she has not yet been named by police.

The crash caused traffic chaos and delays for several hours on surrounding roads including the M23 and A23, with people struggling to make their way to the airport.

Inspector Keith Ellis, from Sussex Police's Road Policing Unit, said: "We appreciate the frustration of road travellers caught up with this incident, but the circumstances are very unusual in that the collision happened on a very busy roundabout and also that it involved a coach that ended up on top of the car.

"However, we must not lose sight of the fact that, sadly, a woman died and it is essential that her death is fully investigated to meet the needs of the coroner and any subsequent court case that may arise.

"We do work as swiftly as possible and our investigating officers are very experienced in their role, but once the scene is cleared we don't get a chance to revisit it.

"The investigative work cannot begin until the needs of those involved in the collision are attended to and in this case, the recovery work that followed the investigation was particularly complex.

"Repairs were also needed to the road and crash barrier."

The Highways Agency confirmed that all roads around the airport were re-opened by 8pm on Friday.

Extra airport staff were drafted in to help passengers who may have missed flights or were running late because of traffic congestion.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to contact them on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Tilstone.

Weston and Somerset Mercury reports on 3rd September 2009...

Passengers flee flaming bus

PANICKED passengers pleaded to be allowed off a smoking bus moments before it burst into flames, a Weston survivor has told the Mercury.

Filmmaker Rhys Hayward was on his way to London from Bristol when smoke prompted screams from the back of the National Express vehicle he was travelling in.

Luckily the driver responded to his passengers' pleas and everyone was able to disembark before the bus caught alight at the side of the M4 motorway.

Now an investigation into the cause of the fire has begun amid Mr Hayward's claims that the bus driver failed to implement the company's 'strict safety procedures'.

The 38-year-old, of Clevedon Road, said: "About 25 minutes into the journey there was shouting from the back of the bus about smoke coming from the engine.

"A group of Somali women and their children were screaming and smoke began to filter down the bus prompting passengers to ask the driver to stop.

"In my opinion it took a long time for the driver to pull up and people were just relieved that he opened the door to be let off."

Mr Hayward was on his way to a film meeting in the capital he had arranged two days before his trip on Wednesday last week.

He caught the 040 from Bristol Bus Station to London Victoria at 9.45am, before the mayhem ensued.

Pictures taken by Mr Hayward on the M4 hard shoulder show the severity of the situation the passengers found themselves in.

He added: "Fire could be seen shortly afterwards, and the extent of the danger began to sink in.

"The driver failed to issue any safety instructions to those on board, and neither he nor the National Express drivers who stopped on the hard shoulder did a head count of the passengers involved."

Two passing National Express coaches took all 48 passengers to the service station close by. Those people without luggage travelled immediately onwards to London. Others who had belongings waited for the fire brigade to release their luggage and then travelled on a replacement coach to London.

A National Express spokesperson said: "All customers were safely directed off the coach by the driver before travelling to their onward destination by replacement services.

"They were met by customer service staff at London Victoria.

"In being prepared for this type of emergency situation we follow strict procedures, with the priority of moving people off the motorway."

The spokesman added that compensation would be discussed with passengers on an individual basis.

Bristol Evening Post reports on 27th August 2009...

Anger over 'jammed door' as Bristol coach catches fire

A passenger fears someone could have been seriously hurt after he tried – and failed – to open an emergency exit when the coach he was travelling on caught fire in Bristol.

Colin Walkington was on yesterday's 9.25am 040 Bristol to London National Express coach, on his way to watch Arsenal take on Celtic at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League.

But at about 10.30am, as the coach containing 48 passengers travelled along the M4 between junctions 18 and 17, he sensed all was not well.

"I was sat one row from the back and I started to smell some fumes," said the 43-year-old, of The Clifford, Lawrence Weston. "At first I thought it was just coming from a lorry or something.

"I opened the toilet door and thick black smoke started coming out so I shouted to the bus driver to pull over."

The support worker added: "There was a mother and her two kids sitting nearby and people started to scream.

"I tried to open the emergency exit near the toilet to let the smoke out but I couldn't.

"I booted it twice but it still wouldn't open. It was jammed shut."

Everyone got off the 49-seater safely through the front door, but shortly afterwards it went up in flames and smoke continued to billow into the air as the vehicle stood on the hard shoulder.

Mr Walkington added: "Thank God the fire was not at the front or we could have been trapped on the coach."

The Arsenal fan complained that when the coach was evacuated and passengers got on to two passing National Express coaches, there was no head done to see if everyone had got off safely.

He is also unhappy with what he saw as a lack of communication when, at nearby Leigh Delamere services, he says passengers were told another coach would come to pick them up later, but no time was given.

Mr Walkington decided to call off his trip and got his friend Reg Perkins to pick him up and take him home, where he watched the football match on TV last night.

He said he was going to contact National Express to ask for compensation for the £52 match ticket and £8 coach fare.

A spokeswoman for National Express said an engineer tried the rear fire exit after the fire had been put out and had no problem opening it.

She said: "All customers were safely directed off the coach by the driver before all, but Mr Walkington, travelled to their onward destination by replacement services.

"Customers were met by National Express customer service staff at London Victoria.

"In being prepared for this type of emergency situation we follow strict procedures, with the priority of moving people off the motorway. We have started an investigation into the cause of the fire."

...This story attracted 47 reader comments and here they are...

#
This must have been a frightening experience for anyone on the coach! I cetainly don't understand the personal abuse directed at the passengers?! What's that all about?
I imagine that the emergency door wouldn't open as the gentleman involved was in a state of panic, and from what I've read it's probably just as well that he couldn''t as it sounds as if it wouldn't have been safe anyway!
The headline should be one more along the lines of 'All passengers get off coach safely after fire scare!'
Mr Walkington should be grateful no one was injured, not moaning about getting his match ticket money back, it was his choice not to continue his journey, everyone else seems to have managed to!
AL, Bristol
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commented on 28-Aug-2009 10:13
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For anyone wanting to see this footage, search for VIDEO 002 on youtube
rob, Bristol
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commented on 28-Aug-2009 08:24
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Steve, that was said tongue in cheek and was not meant to cause offence to yourself. Apologies if it came across as such :)
rob, Bristol
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commented on 28-Aug-2009 07:59
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Reading your comments on this story I am trying to remain calm - but its hard to do that so...
I was on the coach and for all you people - this was a shocker but whilst everyone was inhailing smoke at the back of the coach the driver was at the front of the coach on the phone to the fire service - mmmm safety first - get everyone off - someone else done that so thank god there was some one at the front that knew how to handle the situation and took control because the driver didn't, and anyone that calls us a bunch of idiots (I mean there really is no need for that) when his mates turn up in other coaches is going to get a mouthful from me (mr driver) - oh and by the way drivers -can you count as well?
The fire was not the drivers fault and maybe the emergency door wasnt opened properly which was probably a blessing as we could have ended up under a car or lorr or worse a National Express Coach! the driver was in pure shock and it showed, no emergancy procedure was followed and it was a very poor standard of service.
Oh yeah and for anyone that doesnt know what they are talking about its on you tube.
Jacquie, yate
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commented on 28-Aug-2009 00:00
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You can whistle for your £52 compensation mate, onward travel was available
Driver, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 23:15
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Dont call me stupid Rob!!!!!
Steve, bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 22:55
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Steve, dont be stupid, if the facts were reported, there would be no news and that would not be good (for BEP)
rob, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 22:45
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Dont be daft Driver, the truth might come out that we actually work hard for a living, despite what the general public and BEP would be led to believe.
Right, i have had enough of defending the company that i enjoy working for, im off out to change my float from the £25 in loose change to a £20 and a fiver so i can dish out change tickets tomorrow (oh no, hang on, i cant do that lol)
rob, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 22:42
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OK Walkington, youve had your 5 minutes of fame, now lets have the facts!
With regard to the "alleged" non operation of the rear emergency exit, the police and fire services who attended this incident, both checked the door and found it to be fully operational. It is a good job that you did not manage to kick it open or the police would had the job of knocking on peoples doors to tell them that a family member or members had been fatally injured by jumping from a coach into lane 1 of a busy motorway!!!! After the vehicle was recovered, the door was checked again by, the fitters, the engineering director and officials from VOSA. It was found to be functioning correctly. Why papers are allowed to publish unverified "facts" is a mystery to me. I suppose an apology from the BEP and Mr Walkington would be too much to ask for!! Lets be thankful that there were no serious injuries, and all except one person were able to complete their journeys in safety. That one person went home to watch the football!!!!!!
Steve, bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 22:39
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Dear boss of bep

why not speak to the press relations department at enterprise house and get one of your reporters to work a shift shadowing a driver to see what happens throughout a shift and then do a article about it
Driver, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 22:22
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Driver, i think its down to the general conception that all we do is drive around all day, running late or not at all, carry next to no passengers and have some kind of control over the traffic which means we are the devil's incarnate.
To all those that catch a bus/coach maybe twice a day, how about you spend an entire day with a driver and see just exactly what we deal with in a day because im pretty sure all you see is maybe an hour or so when you are sat in the bus.
I know this will cause a million and one comments about First drivers being arrogant, ignorant, rude etc etc but if you can sit behind the wheel of a 40ft vehicle for upwards of 11 hours a day, dealing with the traffic in an antiquated road system, people that have no idea that we can't fly over traffic, have had 20 £20 note and don't actually have the time to get change because even though you were stood outside a newsagent for 5 minutes, you could not be bothered to help the driver a little bit.
I have driven buses and coaches in the 6 years i have been with First and most of the time, its been great.
The majority of of my time has been really enjoyable and most of my passengers have been really nice but there seems to be this die hard section of the public that will only be happy if a bus can run every 5 minutes with a full load and a driver that carries £500 in spare change, has the answer to every question in the world, can repair a vehicle by clicking his fingers and have 24hr bus lanes running throughout Bristol on every road.
Look at the big picture people, Arriva and Stagecoach have both said no way to running a bus service in Bristol and even Richard Branson has said he would run at a loss if he tried so thank yourselves lucky that you even have a bus service.
rob, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 21:53
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Alright rob,

bullsh!t like this sales papers which is what the bep want. Some numpty can't open a simple door. Hold the front page, we can spin this.

Useless idiot passengers and the general public of Bristol have got little respect for what drivers have to do and deal with. I am fed up with the lot of them. Commenting on things they know nothing about making assumptions based on other peoples assumptions.

Sort it out Bristol
Driver, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 21:00
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So, lets get this straight. A possible fire started at the back of the coach and the obvious thing to do was to try and exit from the back of the coach into the middle of the m4? Dear lord, these people give birth to future generations??? Oh, the volcano is about to erupt, lets walk closer to the lava just in case (for those that dont understand sarcasm, this will be lost on you)
I happen to know the driver in question very well and believe me, he did check the emergency exit, as we all have to. The punishment a driver could get if found not to be doing his regular checks would be, as you would expect carrying passengers, extremely hard. If the emergency door had not opened on his checks, the vehicle would have been taken off the road straight away.
All of First coaches vehicle have 3 emergency hammers (and like the emergency exit, have an idiot guide on how to use them)
So, in all the comments, we have 2 completely different versions of how Mr Walkington tried to open the emergency exit, so rather than the obvious easy target of slating First Coaches, how about actually waiting for the official report?
Oh, and because after the vehicle had been recovered back to the depot, the engineer was able to open it, he was obviously lying? Do you really think he would risk his livelyhood and reputation?
Maybe, just maybe, Mr Walkington didnt use the handle which is signed by the way, and just decided brute force and ignorance was the order of the day and is now playing on it in aid of a bit of compensation?
As i said earlier, dont fling wild accusations about the coach being unroadworthy and the mechanic lying about the state of the door becuase i can guarantee that 98% of the replies to this article were not on the coach and have not seen it in the aftermath so unless you are actually dealing with the incident in person, may i suggest you keep your accusations to yourself rather than sully the name of the people that keep this service on the road.
Yes i am a coach driver and yes, i work for First Coaches, hence i probably know a little more than most of the posters in this article. Its not biased opinion, just pure and simple fact.
Rob, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 20:47
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Wrong. It's a first group coach
Driver, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 20:43
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More likely the bloke wasn't trying to open the door properly than it not opening. Kicking the door wouldn't open it as you have to open the door with the lever. Also at the rear of the vehicle are hammer which could of been used to smash the near side rear window to escape through.

The headline should be 49 people safely evacuated from coach after it catches fire on the m4. I expect the engineer was able to open just as anyone on board would of been able to if they operated the mechanism correctly
Driver, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 20:24
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I was on the coach with my daughter an her friend. We were sat where the smoke was coming from. I would like to thank the guy who tried the emergency door. As other people near the front paniced they blocked the isle. All of us at the back who were in the thick of the smoke had to stand waiting while they got off first.
kirstie, bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 20:07
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Nobody was hurt, National Express will learn from this and let's be honest what other service in the UK comes close to matching National Express for reliability, price, efficiency and customer service in general.
Good news that all are safe!
Richard, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 19:38
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Mike Bailey

Loved your comment, very funny. Where is Mike Ford though, comments are getting funnier as its getting later!
Mike, North Somerset
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 17:42
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I was on the coach that caught fire, the guy did try to open the emergencey door but was unable to do so. Good job as it would have meant people exiting into the first lane of the M4 which was still in use. No heroes about, some panicked and screamed some kept their heads, we all got off ok. In general it was a shambles but then what do you expect, it is not something we are used to dealing with on a daily basis. Until you are faced with something like this who knows how you will react be happy no one was seriously hurt.
collin field, Yate
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 17:41
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If the 'hero' that saved the coach by finding a fire would like to explain how he attempted to open the fire exit and whether the vehicle was still in motion when he tried to open it.

I drive vehicles like this one regularly and the door can only be locked to prevent it being open from the outside.

Me thinks this guy is trying to make national express look bad
Driver, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 17:14
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i was on that bus Michelle, and he didnt give it a good kick.

he panicked like a three year old running around and that.

then threw a hissy fit and went home.

When we needed heroes we got zeroes.

How he is in the paper I do not know.
Mike Bailey, Hengrove
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 17:13
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KB-I bet the National express engineer said that. He doesn't want the company to get into trouble. Why didn't they get an independant company to look at it? It was quite a serious incident since the bus actually caught fire. I'm pretty sure Mr Walkington gave that door a good kick ESPECIALLY if he was in a state of panic.
michelle, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 16:53
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KB,

I'll think you'll find that on the model RD/332-A buses as operated by National Express 040 service to London, the sign on the emergency door does in fact read ... 'In case of emergency - boot here twice'

What more could the gentleman have done in this situation
wibble, Hang on, give me a shot at it ... hoof
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 16:32
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Michelle, National Express' engineer tried the door later and had no problem opening it. I would suggest that perhaps in a state of panic, Mr Walkington failed to operate the opening mechanism properly. After all, by opening the door withouit a proper evacuation route set up, he could have caused the fire to spread
KB, Bristol, England
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 16:01
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If the BEP is looking for a proof reader I'll do it. I'm looking for work & have 25 years experience in the print industry.
Lawrence, BS6
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 15:54
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Safety or not , having a fire door locked is a breach of the fire code. This bus company could be in alot of trouble.
michelle, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 15:30
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ANGER?!!

Gotta love the BEP
George, Bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 15:18
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I'm so glad I'm not the only one immature enough to have a snigger at the 'head' comment. Shame on the National Express for not making sure that everyone 'got off' safely! BEP, seriously, get someone who can proof read. It was an innocent comment made to look a little smutty this time but could actually cause offence if a similar mistake was made in a more serious story.
Old enough to know better, Trying to keep a straight face at my desk
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 15:15
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if he hasnt i guess he'll be trying to get compo on that aswell.. haha
Rodge the Dodge, bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 14:20
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I wonder if the "court" man in the McDonald's ants story had his head done.
Lawrence, BS6
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 14:18
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inappropriate for you maybe! im glad i didnt miss the chance to get my 'head done'

hahaha, should definately invest in some proof reading BEP
Rodge the Dodge, bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 14:13
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Obviously a reporter with a hearing problem, it's De Clifford Rd not The Clifford.
Chris, Bristle
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 14:09
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......passengers got on to two passing National Express coaches, there was no head done to see if everyone had got off safely.

Glad to hear there was no head done. That would've certainly been inappropriate.
Lawrence, BS6
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 14:06
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Colin, Sam talks sense. A few years back, a high speed train caught fire and several passengers were killed because they climbed out of the train on the wrong side and were struck by another train. This could have been a story about passengers being killed on the motorway, rather than a bit of a non-story about an alleged failure of the emergency door to open.
KB, Bristol, England
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 13:50
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solomon, well done the driver was one of your comments? are you sure you wasnt the driver? and sam from longwell green, are you an expert on coach fires by any chance.
colin, L.dub
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 13:11
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pete bs1 wat a poor fella has to go back today, but thank you for your input. i think your reading the wrong story. bless.
colin, l.dub
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 13:03
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Reg Perkiiiins, tayk me 'oommme
too the plaaace, ahhh beeloonng
Lawrewnce Weston, open prison
Reg Perkins, take me home..

(apologies to John Denver... and the good old folk from LW)
wibble, Back seat having a crafty ciggie
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 12:53
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Colin W...... Sorry to disappoint you but I actually work for a rival coach firm, hence my unsocial working hours and being able to correct you on here during 'normal' working hours!!!

Strange that you were the only passenger not to continue your journey - but thankfully your match was live on TV so you didn't miss it. God bless.
Solomon, Posh end of Artcliffe
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 11:11
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The lights did work numpty!
Pete, BS1
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 10:42
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I would have thought that the drivers would have to go through a check list before leaving the depot. Things like do the lights work, do the doors open etc. Very poor!
Dave, The Downs
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 10:33
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No Colin

You are incorrect
Samantha creed, Longwell green
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 09:56
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i would just like to comment on what afew people have said about the fire on the 040 coach yesterday to london, which i was on, sounds like JB has had claims turned down in the past and SOLOMON works for national express, its a shame you both wasnt on the coach yesterday? anyway thank you evening post for making people aware of slack safety checks on so called SAFE coaches.
colin walkington, bristol
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 09:44
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er...motorway pile up not pilot
Samantha Creed, longwell green
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 09:40
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Lawrence Weston/Compo etc...

It is such a shame that nowadays in the time of adversity everyone thinks of themselves.

Smell fumes/panic/open wrong door/cause motorway pilot.

is this really headline news?
Samantha Creed, longwell green
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 09:39
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Looks like someone wants to make a claim, much ado about nowt.
Even the report is flawed, it states that the fire was in Bristol, no, it was on the M4.
JG, Bristle
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 08:36
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Emergency exits are usually situate on the offside of coaches to facilitate exiting if the coach rolls onto it's nearside.

Just as well that they couldn't open the door in this case as passengers - especially young children - would have spilled out onto the busy motorway. Perhaps the driver used his common sense and prevented egress via this door for passenger safety reasons. Well done drive!!!
Solomon, Posh end of Artcliffe
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 08:32
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Elsewhere on the coach would have been some hammers with which to hit the windows out if necessary, this facility is there as a back up in case the emergency door fails. As part of a drivers daily walk round inspection, the emergency exit should have been checked and recorded if it was not up to scratch. Glad everyone was safe and well.
A person, Not on a coach
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commented on 27-Aug-2009 07:39

Omnisounduk posted this video on You Tube on 26th August 2009...