Bus Driver In Court Charged With Causing Death by Careless Driving...By Jason Byrne.

Ming Wei Tan, 20.

A bus driver has today appeared in court charged with causing the death of a Cambridge University Medical student.
Ming Wei Tan a 20year old from Singapore, was hit by the bus outside Belsize Park Underground Station on Haverstock Hill  and then dragged more than half a mile under the wheels of the double decker.

Today Shahriar Firouzian, 51, appeared at Highbury Corner magistrates' court, charged with causing her death by careless driving.


He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during today's brief hearing, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.


Four days after the death of Ms Tan, her boyfiend George Starling, 19, committed suicide. The young mans father, Lieutenant Colonel John Starling said his son had been "tipped over the edge" by the death of Ms Tan, only five months after the death of his mother Deborah.


Martha Godwin, prosecuting, told the court today: "The defendant was driving a bus. The victim collided with the bus and was dragged for a distance of approximately 825 metres."
Granting him unconditional bail, District Judge James Henderson said: "The allegation is too serious for this court to deal with. It needs to be dealt with at the crown court."  
The case will be submitted again at the same court for a committal hearing on October 6.


Editorial Comment:

It hasn't gone unnoticed, that the driving standard of London's buses has dropped to an unacceptable level, Just a five minute drive along Oxford Street would show this. Cut backs in staff training have led to applicants driving buses on the street of the capital in just a few weeks. 

Many accidents are occurring and members of the public are dying. 

Is it time to re-train these drivers to a higher standard?

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