Bath coach crash driver fined

A German coach driver who caused a near-death crash near Bath has been fined £365. Norman Markus was driving an American rock band in August last year when he veered down a 40 foot embankment.

Markus pleaded guilty to careless driving and using a vehicle with defective brakes.

You can find out more about the band, Baroness, on their website.

A coach driver who caused a near-death crash has been fined £365.

Norman Markus, from Germany, was driving American rock band Baroness on their European tour when he veered off the road and down a 30 foot embankment at Brassknocker Hill, Monkton Combe, near Bath.

Markus pleaded guilty to careless driving and using a vehicle with defective brakes.

The driver of a coach which plunged 30 feet off a viaduct near Bath is to be charged with a number of offences including dangerous driving and using a vehicle with defective brakes.

Norman Markus, from Germany, was among nine people injured, many seriously, when the bus left the road in August last year.

It was carrying members of an American rock band who were on a European tour.

Richard Payne reports:

Charges have been authorised by the CPS, against the driver of a coach that fell 30 feet from a viaduct near Bath last August.

38-year-old Norman Markus was driving the coach, which was being used as a tour bus for the American rock band Baroness. Nine people including the driver, were injured.

He's due to appear at Bath Magistrates Court in April.

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that they have authorised charges against the driver of a bus which crashed in Bath last August.

Here are the following charges Norman Marcus is facing.

• Dangerous Driving
• Using a vehicle in a condition likely to cause danger of injury
• Using a vehicle with defective brakes
• Contravening a 7.5 tonne weight limit
• Driving otherwise than in accordance with driving licence
• Exceeding 4.5 hours driving with insufficient break

• Insufficient daily rest
• Exceeing 10 hours driving between daily rest periods
• Failure to commence a weekly rest