Bus pick-up system unchanged after station death

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 06:08 · Archive

Pick-up arrangements at Carlisle train station remain unchanged after a pensioner was struck by a rail replacement bus in 2023.

Pick-up arrangements at Carlisle train station remain unchanged following the death of pensioner Roger Denwood, who was struck by a rail replacement bus on 30 November 2023. Denwood, aged 75, was waiting near the station entrance when he was struck and crushed by a coach. He was treated at the scene and transferred to hospital in Newcastle, where he died on 15 December 2023.

At Carlisle Crown Court, coach driver Michael Cockton, aged 49, of Flimby, was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. He admitted the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving and is due to be sentenced next month. The court heard that Cockton mistakenly believed he was in reverse gear when he pressed the accelerator, causing the coach to shoot forward into the station building.

Cockton was following an approved procedure to drive through a 'no entry' sign against the flow of traffic to enter the station car park. A defence barrister suggested the system 'may defy logic'. First Bus and FirstGroup confirmed that pick-up arrangements remain unchanged, though drop-off locations moved to nearby Warwick Road in 2024. The company stated the arrangement was 'an established way of working at Carlisle station which had been in place for several years' with no previous issues reported. All drivers receive running boards with route instructions.

How it is being reported

• Company confirms railway station pick-up plans remain unchanged despite tragic deathA BUS company has confirmed that pick-up arrangements for the drivers of rail replacement buses at Carlisle train station remain the same as they were when a pedestrian was fatally injured three years ago.News & Star · 14 Nov, 05:03
• Station pick-ups unchanged since pensioner's deathRoger Denwood was fatally injured by a rail replacement bus outside Carlisle station in 2023.BBC Cumbria · 13 Nov, 13:44

In this story: Roger Denwood · Michael Cockton · First Bus · FirstGroup · Carlisle station · Carlisle Crown Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log