Bus driver who killed grandfather banned from road

A newly-qualified bus driver who killed a grandfather in a crash has been banned from the road.

Alan Boyd, 35, struck Allan Moir, 79, when he drove his McGill’s bus onto tram lines on the opposite carriageway at Edinburgh's Haymarket in February last year.

Mr Moir, who was returning home after watching Hearts play Dundee United at Tynecastle, died shortly after being placed in an ambulance, having suffered a head trauma.

Boyd, of Cumbernauld, admitted causing the death by driving without due care or attention and was banned from driving for 24 months at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

He was also placed on a six-month supervision order and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard Boyd was driving on the Edinburgh to Falkirk route for the second time on his own on 4 February, having completing his training.

The single-decker vehicle was travelling along Atholl Place towards the junction with Morrison Street at about 17:35.

The court heard the bus began “straddling” the east and west bound tram lanes before moving into the tramway prior to the junction with Grosvenor Street.

Fiscal depute Anna Robertson told the court the road was “clearly signed ‘tram only’ with paint on the roadway”.

Mr Moir, who had been a season ticket holder at Tynecastle for about 70 years, was attempting to cross the carriageway at a pedestrian crossing.

He was due to be picked up nearby and taken home by his son.

Mr Moir had stepped on to a central island and checked his left side before stepping out on to the road.

He was struck by the bus, travelling at about 16mph, on its front nearside and knocked to the ground.

Off duty medical personnel who were in the area rushed to Mr Moir’s aid and contacted emergency services.

He was placed into the back of an ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Mr Moir's family later thanked those who attempted to help him in a statement.

Boyd told police officers in an interview he “felt really bad” for Mr Moir’s family.

He said: “That was my second day. I didn’t see him at all, I didn’t see him on the island.”

He provided a negative drug wipe and alcohol breath test to the police at the scene and later successfully passed an eye test.

Sheriff Ian Anderson ordered Boyd to pass an extended test before he is allowed to drive again.