20/01/2009

Derry Bus Tragedy Averted

Bus passengers in Londonderry had a lucky escape when their bus crashed after a 'snowball prank' went wrong.

Derry teenagers rolled a huge snowball in front of a car, causing a bus to crash.

Around 30 youths initially targeted passing traffic, including the bus, in the Hazelbank Estate, during a heavy snowfall.

The bus driver reported that the youths rolled the snowball in front of the car ahead.

"She (the car driver) couldn't get around it, so she stopped dead and I lost control of the bus and I went into the back of her," he said.

"They pushed open the doors of the bus and pelted me with snowballs and threw them in on top of the passengers.

"It was just by pure luck that no-one was injured."

Meanwhile, schools have today been closed and bus services cancelled in Londonderry after more overnight snow across the North West.

Buses are not running to Creggan, Ballymagroarty, Lone Moor Road, Gobnascale, Hazelbank and Newbuildings.

Conditions are extremely treacherous, and drivers are advised to take extreme care when travelling.

Also, after weekend storms, final arrangements are being made in Downpatrick for the funeral of Mairead Shields, 35, who was killed while on her way to pick up groceries for her family at around 4pm on Saturday.

Her Nissan was struck by a tree on the Strangford Road, blown over in the severe weather that lashed Ulster over the weekend

(BMcC/JM)

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