Minibus driver denies causing accident through negligence

A minibus driver today pleaded not guilty to having driven negligently and caused grievous injuries to the driver and passenger of another vehicle and slightly injuring a child.

The man had been driving a school minibus which was involved in a collision with a delivery van on the coast road near Salina on January 15.

Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia said that the accused, Winston Bonello, 43 of Mellieha, had in his police statement indicated that he was in fact negligent when driving his van. The van had been carrying 12 schoolchildren at the time. The accident was so bad, the inspector said, that the two vehicles involved had to be scrapped.

The driver of the delivery van had suffered permanent injuries to his leg while his passenger had eye injuries.