A bus driver who allegedly pulled out in front of a truck on a Sydney motorway, narrowly avoiding a collision with 20 schoolgirls on board, has been charged with dangerous driving. The incident occurred on the M5 at Hammondville on July 19, when the bus, carrying students to an AFL gala day, was involved in a near-miss with a 22-tonne semi-trailer travelling at 100km/h.
Kazem Afkhamisaddoghi, 59, was issued a summons to appear in Liverpool Local Court on charges of dangerous and negligent driving. Police released CCTV footage showing the bus pulling out in front of the truck, which braked heavily and jack-knifed to avoid a collision. Witness Daniel O'Sullivan, driving behind the truck, said he expected 'carnage' and that children would be 'severely injured if not killed'.
Afkhamisaddoghi apologised, stating, 'I'm very, very sorry about this.' A student on the bus described the driver initially pulling over, then turning back onto the motorway into the path of the truck. She said the driver said nothing, and their teacher was screaming for him to pull over. Other motorists blocked the bus to force him to stop.
NSW Police Chief Inspector Greg Tetley praised the truck driver, Daryl Wilson, for his actions, saying, 'The truck driver did extremely well. It could have been potentially fatal.' The bus remained on the roadside for over an hour while police breath-tested the driver and arranged a replacement. Parents were informed later that day.
