The proceedings against Jamie Gleeson, a 49-year-old truck driver implicated in the tragic Eynesbury school bus accident, have been held over while authorities await essential medical reports. Gleeson, who is facing four counts of dangerous driving inflicting substantial harm, was indicted following a distressing incident where a bus carrying 45 students toppled on the 17th of May in the western vicinity of Melbourne.
The police have leveled charges against Gleeson for purportedly ramming into the back of the bus while traversing his regular homeward course. Legal representation for Gleeson, attorney Brett Barratt, addressed Melbourne Magistrates’ Court with no objection towards a motion from the prosecution to postpone the proceedings by two months.
Despite the calamitous incident unfolding over five months earlier, it was indicated by the prosecution that investigators are pending medical records to ascertain potential additional charges against Gleeson. “We’ve obtained some of the medical reports while others pertaining to the 15 victims remain,” stated the prosecutor.
During Gleeson’s introductory court hearing, authorities alleged that eight pupils from Exford Primary School endured life-threatening injuries, with two subsequently suffering hand and arm amputations. As for the 30 other passengers on board, they were identified as “walking wounded”.
As per the police summation, Gleeson had just ended his work shift transporting clay from Bulla to Kensington in Melbourne’s far west. “The bus ahead slowed down before I could react,” Gleeson reportedly told the police. His statement also included an account of “sun flickers” through the trees just prior to the collision and his subsequent efforts to rescue children from the wreckage.
Investigators, who detected about 40 meters of pre-impact brake markings at the scene, did not claim any influence of drugs or alcohol on Gleeson. The request to postpone the case was granted by magistrate Kieran Gilligan, setting the next court date for December.
