HC Deb 23 July 1975 vol 896 cc223-4W
Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement about the coach accident at Dibble's Bridge, Yorkshire, on 27th May.

Dr. Gilbert

Yes. On the afternoon of 27th May a coach went out of control on the steep hill approaching Dibble's Bridge on the B.6265 road from Pateley Bridge to Grassington. It failed to take a sharp right-hand bend, crashed through a parapet, and landed upside down in a field 16 ft. below, 32 people were killed and 14 were injured.

At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was given.

The Department's vehicle inspectors have now completed their investigation and I am studying their detailed report. Their opinion is that the cause of the accident was failure of the brakes resulting from the poor condition of the braking systems, which were defective because of serious faults in the offside rear brake unit, compounded by faulty adjustment of the front brakes. The vehicle had undergone its last annual inspection in December, when no serious defects were discovered.

Those who operate public service vehicles have, of course, a continuing responsibility to ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained. I am, however, arranging for our vehicle inspectors throughout the country to be informed of the mechanical causes of this accident and intend to introduce other measures to reinforce the inspection of the braking systems of public service vehicles.

Public concern has been expressed about the roof strength of coaches. As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) and the hon. Member for Devon, West (Mr. Mills) on 24th June—[Vol. 894, c. 126–7]—I intend to prescribe minimum strength requirements as soon as a suitable technical standard is available; but it would be unrealistic to expect any coach design to withstand the impact of a 16 ft. drop as occurred on this occasion.

Anxiety has also been expressed about drivers' hours. The driver of the coach, who was also killed, was licensed to drive public service vehicles, and there was no evidence that he was in breach of the regulations on drivers' hours or in any way unfit to drive.

I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sympathy with those who were bereaved or injured by this tragic accident. I assure my hon. Friend of my determination to ensure that everything will be done to lessen the chance of a repetition.