Bus driver charged on death

A bus driver has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a pensioner was killed at Walsall station.

The 62-year-old is due in court next week.

Pedestrian Jean Crump suffered multiple injuries after being knocked down by the 360 Arriva service bus last July, bringing the town centre to a standstill..

Police said today they had charged a 62-year-old who will appear at Walsall Magistrates Court on June 16.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Catherine Preece said: "The charge is in connection with a collision between a single decker bus and a double decker bus at the exit of the bus station. They were then in collision with a further three vehicles, two vans and a car."

Mrs Crump, 65, who lived at Lime Avenue, Bentley, was airlifted by helicopter to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham but died the same day. Six other people were also injured when the bus hit two pedestrians, a shelter, and another bus.

Arriva Midlands spokesman Keith Myatt said today: "Given that there are legal proceedings on-going it would be inappropriate for Arriva Midlands to add anything further at this stage."

An inquest into Mrs Crump's death has been opened and adjourned by Black Country coroner Robin Balmain.