Chester-le-Street bus accident victim named

Mar 5 2010 by Rob Pattinson, The Journal

THE driver who died in a head-on crash between two buses has been named as a County Durham father of three.

Gordon Hutchinson suffered fatal injuries when the 28-seater minilink bus he was driving collided with a coach, on North View, Newfield, Chester-le-Street.

The 58-year-old, of Lowther Avenue, Chester-le-Street, was pronounced dead at the scene, just after 4pm, on Wednesday. He is survived by his wife and three adult sons, all in their 30s.

The other coach driver, a 50-year-old, from Stanley, remained in a critical condition at Newcastle General Hospital, last night, where he was still being treated for head, chest and leg injuries.

Three passengers also injured in the incident were said to be recovering.

All signs of the accident had been removed from Newfield yesterday, leaving nearby families to ponder how the collision happened, on the straight section of road, at the top of a slight incline.

Floral tributes from loved-ones marked the spot where the crash claimed Mr Hutchinson's life.

One note simply read: "To a fellow bus driver".

Relatives had also visited the scene, tying flowers to a fence, with their messages of sorrow. Another message on flowers said: "Dear cousin Gordon, RIP. Derrin and Julie and family."

One read: "To our beloved Gordon, will never be forgotten, Auntie Ruth. RIP Gordon."

Another said: "Always in our thoughts. RIP. Lots of love Kerry, Stacie, Rhys and Tyler and Benjie."

Friends at the scene described Mr Hutchinson as "incredibly well liked" and said he would be missed by the whole community.

The coach he was driving at the time of the collision belonged to Classic Coaches, based in Stanley.

Two air ambulances and seven road ambulances were called to the scene, following the crash.

A 69-year-old man from Pelton Fell, who had been travelling on the bus Mr Hutchinson was driving, was said to be comfortable and stable, in Teessides James Cook Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for a pelvic fracture and some internal injuries.

Two female passengers aged 72 and 50, and both from Newfield village itself, were described as walking wounded following the crash.

Paul Northey, who was one of the first on the scene following the crash, has told of his efforts to keep the injured driver alive, until paramedics could transfer him to hospital.

The dad-of-two, of West Avenue, Washington, said: "There was only him on the white bus. I held his head back to help with his breathing and I started talking to him to reassure him.

"I kept saying, there's someone here, there's someone here. I told him my name was Paul.

"He was slumped over to one side and he was being crushed by the steering wheel, so I was just trying to keep his airways open. I know some emergency first aid, but I never thought I'd have to use it like this.

"My adrenalin just started pumping as soon as it happened.

"I've never seen injuries like it before. When I saw him I knew I had to do something.

"You can't just let someone down. I thought, I need to prolong someone's life here.

"You want to help someone because you hope they would do the same for you. I just hope he survives. I hope I've helped. All my thoughts are with him and his family."

Following the clear-up police issued an appeal for information, requesting anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them, by calling PC Christine Wood on 0345 606 0365.