A HGV driver seriously injured a man when he crashed into a minibus, which was taking a group of young adults with additional needs to school.
Andrew Ward was behind the wheel of the red lorry when he pulled out of a junction and directly into the path of the Ford transit vehicle on a dual carriageway, in Cramlington. A court heard that the minibus couldn't avoid striking the back of the truck, despite taking evasive action.
Prosecutors said that the passengers were immediately rescued from the vehicle but the driver was trapped for more than an hour and had to be cut free. He was taken to hospital where it was discovered he'd suffered a broken elbow, cuts to his head, arms and legs and bruising to the left side of his body.
