A coach driver protected 80 children from a reckless motorist in Essex, leading to a suspended sentence.
The incident began near Chelmsford around 4 PM on March 25 when a BMW and a coach left the Army and Navy Roundabout, heading toward Sandon. The BMW driver clipped the curb.
The BMW driver, Clint Hydes, then followed the coach, driving recklessly and dangerously. To protect his passengers, the coach driver changed his route near Maldon Road.
Hydes slammed on his brakes, stopping on the dual carriageway, which almost caused a crash. He then reversed to reach the slip road, chasing the coach.
Both vehicles stopped on the A130 toward Basildon, where the coach driver waited in a layby, having already called 999 for help.
Police officers arrived to find Hydes’ car parked by the coach. He had reversed against traffic again and claimed he needed the coach driver’s insurance.
Following the police investigation, Clint Hydes appeared in court and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on January 27. The court sentenced him to six months, suspended for one year.
Furthermore, he must complete 150 hours of community service, cannot drive for 18 months, and must pass an extended driving test to drive again.
Inspector James Freeman expressed his gratitude to the coach driver for reporting the incident and keeping the children on the coach safe.