The driver of an open top tour bus has been found not guilty of causing serious injuries to a German tourist who fell down the stairs of the vehicle.

The incident happened in December 2012 in Xlendi.

George Tabone, 54, a driver with 28 years experience, was accused of having caused the accident which saw Maria Duncan Geb Gerstlauer, 72, fall and suffer several fractures.

She alleged the accident had happened because the driver was negligent, having driven off and then braked suddenly while she was going up to the top of the bus. She lost her balance and fell, suffering fractures of the upper arm, the left wrist, and a cheekbone.

The driver denied the claims, saying the tourist and her husband had first sat down on the lower part of the bus and then decided to go to the top while the bus was in motion, despite warning signs.

The court after considering the evidence, found the driver not guilty, after also noting that the tourist’s husband was unsure whether they had sat down on the lower seats before opting to go to the top.