Lothian Buses have won a court battle over the sacking of a former employee following a cyclist collision on an Edinburgh road, the ex-driver has confirmed.
Sam Beech, the former Lothian Buses driver, took the firm to tribunal after being fired following an incident on September 21, 2019.
The driver had accelerated away from a bus stop, near to the Pilrig Street junction, at around 8:30pm, when a cyclist overtook him and clipped his wing mirror.
He told a tribunal judge that he hadn't realised the nature of the collision until he spotted the cyclist gesturing to him.
CCTV from the night of the incident showed that the bus and cyclist collided again. Mr Beech claimed it was the cyclist who had fallen into the bus after losing his balance.
While Mr Beech insisted the longer triple axle bus has a “quick response” to acceleration, the transport firm argued: "It would have been easier to slow the bus and stop the bus." They also accused him of accelerating towards the cyclist.
A court also heard how police had cleared Mr Beech of wrongdoing after the cyclist was found to be “under the influence of alcohol".
Though, concerns were also raised over the driver's conduct after the incident took place, as the 39-year-old waited several minutes before leaving the cab to check on the cyclist.
While the ex-driver explained he was radioing for assistance and was cautious that the cyclist could be aggressive, Lothian Buses insisted he should have left the bus and checked the cyclist more promptly.
Lothian Buses sacked the driver on the grounds that he drove “aggressively” and said his actions were “worthy of dismissal".
Mr Beech confirmed that the case has gone to Lothian Buses ruled, which means the tribunal has ruled to not uphold his claim. Lothian Buses were aware of the outcome but did not wish to comment further.
