A SPECIALIST in braking systems has told a jury the fact that the antilock braking system (ABS) was not working on a bus involved in a crash which killed five Meath schoolgirls significantly affected the outcome of the crash.
Rod McLellan, a chartered engineer and independent technical consultant specialising in the braking systems on heavy goods vehicles, was hired by the Health and Safety Authority and inspected the Bus Éireann vehicle that collided with two cars, four miles outside Navan in May 2005.
He was made aware that the foundation braking system on the vehicle was compliant with European braking regulations and the bus had been fitted with “an advanced, category one, ABS system”.
Mr McLellan told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday thatbecause the ABS was not working on the bus that day, the wheels locked and the driver, John Hubble, lost control of the vehicle.
He told Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that when the rear wheels lock it causes a vehicle to swing around and rotate until it effectively was going backwards.
When ABS fails, it leads to a “very serious situation” making it very difficult for a driver to steer the vehicle, Mr McLellan said.
In his opinion “the lack of ABS significantly affected” the outcome of the incident.
Sgt James Walsh told Mr Grehan that the ABS warning light had not come on because the bulb had been removed or not fitted.
He agreed with Roderick O’Hanlon SC, defence counsel for McArdles Test Centre of Dundalk, the company on trial arising from the investigation into the May 2005 accident, that a bulb could “blow” at any time.
“But, the bulb was missing in this case,” Sgt Walsh added.
Joe McArdle, a director, has pleaded not guilty on behalf of McArdles Test Centre Ltd to two charges of failing to note the ABS warning light on the bus wasn’t operational while conducting a vehicle test on March 15th, 2005, two months before the tragedy.
A second company, Keltank Ltd of Balbriggan, has pleaded guilty through Sonya Kelly, company secretary, that being aware that ABS sensor leads were disconnected it failed to ascertain whether a hazard arose as a consequence thereof before returning the bus to the driver, Mr Hubble, on May 5th.
Yesterday was day five of the trial in which the jury heard witnesses explain that ABS prevents wheel lock-up in heavy and emergency braking and allows the driver to maintain direction.
Tony Wynn, a senior vehicle tester in the Department of Transport, said that if a vehicle has an ABS fitted and it is not working it would “100 per cent” fail a roadworthy test but he added that the ABS should not interfere with the integrity of the vehicle, so if it failed a person could continue to drive safely.
He said ABS was difficult to maintain because it was electronically controlled. “It’s more common than you think for ABS not to be working in vehicles. The ABS warning light is on, looking at the driver and they don’t care,” said Mr Wynn.
Garda James Egan said he carried out a detailed examination of the bus and found that the normal brakes were in “excellent condition”, the condition of the tyres complied with regulations, and the steering system had no defects and was well maintained
Pat Bebbington, a foreman with Keltank, said that ABS was never mentioned to him and he did not realise there was ABS on the bus. He was also not aware of the presence of an ABS warning light. He agreed with Mr O’Hanlon that he never worked on the bus himself and could not comment on its condition when it was tested by his client in March 2005.
Three mechanics with Keltank,Aidan Callan, Colin Maher and Adrian McManus, said they were aware the bus had an ABS but did not think it ever worked.
They each denied removing a bulb from the ABS warning light and each confirmed that if there was a problem with the ABS, Keltank did not have the facilities to repair it and Bus Éireann would have to refer the vehicle to another garage.
They agreed with Mr O’Hanlon that Bus Éireann was responsible for directing what work should be carried out by the mechanics in Keltank and they were never advised to inspect or repair the ABS.
The trial continues today.