Driver arraigned after tourist falls off his bus

An Austrian tourist yesterday told a court how, while stepping off a bus, the vehicle moved, causing her to fall, hitting her face against the pavement.

Margarathe Granitz, who testified on the arraignment of bus driver John Abela, said she was not interested in pursuing criminal proceedings against him but only testified to ensure he was given a warning so this would not happen again.

Mr Abela, 39, of Zejtun pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Ms Granitz through his negligence on Saturday at about 4.30 p.m.

Ms Granitz told Magistrate Doreen Clarke that on Saturday she and her daughter caught a bus from Golden Bay to Sliema. When the bus was approaching the stop where they wanted to disembark, another passenger drew the bus diver's attention to stop.

She and her daughter then stood up to step off the bus. She explained that another passenger in front of her hopped off the bus and, as she was about to alight, she felt a push by the moving bus and fell, hitting her face against the pavement.

Mr Abela was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm300.

Police Inspector Romina Veneziani prosecuted.

Lawyer Richard Sladden was defence counsel.