Berkshire fatal coach crash raises driver health concerns

A coroner has raised concerns after a coach driver suffered a fatal heart attack and crashed on a motorway.

A passenger took the wheel of the bus carrying students on the M25 near Poyle, Berkshire, after James Baxter, 78, collapsed in September 2022.

Marie Therese Gumpert slowed the vehicle down and brought it to a stop.

Berkshire assistant coroner Ian Wade KC said improved medical screening for coach drivers would reduce the risk of further crashes.

The vehicle was being driven from Heathrow Airport to central London at about 09:00 BST on 4 September when it veered across lanes and crashed into the central barrier.

Ms Gumpert, then aged 22, previously said she saw Mr Baxter "slumped over in his seat" with his foot on the accelerator.

The student liaison officer said she "yanked the brake back and forth" to slow the coach down, before steering it on to the hard shoulder.

She was later presented with a police bravery award, with officers saying she had prevented "multiple casualties or worse".

The coroner said Mr Baxter had a driver's medical form which had been correctly completed by an agency.

However, Mr Wade said the driver's age, "poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure" indicated he was at risk of a heart attack.

In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, external, the coroner said he had received evidence that "stress testing", taking account of "age and comorbidities", would reduce risk.

Writing to police, Westbus Coach Services and D4Drivers UK, he said the D4 medical form could also be made to include recent blood test results from a GP.

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