Driver who crashed on M5 with coach full of Black Country children banned from driving after falling asleep at wheel
A coach driver was today banned for driving after falling asleep at the wheel of a coach carrying dozens of Black Country children on a day to the seaside.
Robert Blakemore was driving 53 people from Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Dudley and Sandwell, when he crashed into a verge off the M5 in Gloucestershire in August last year while on route to Weston-super-Mare
Blakemore, 60, from Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention at Stroud Magistrates' Court
Seven people – one child and six adults, including Blackemore – suffered minor injuries during the incident, which happened when their coach left the carriageway near junction 13 and ploughed into a ditch near Stroud.
He told the court that he was currently on sick pay and unable to work because of a broken leg suffered in the crash.
He added that losing his licence would mean he would lose his job.
The coach was operated by Lye-based Prospect Coaches. It had been taking a group of youngsters from Bright Futures Children's Centre in West Bromwich for a day out at the seaside in Weston-super-Mare.
It was one of four Prospect Coaches – two from West Bromwich and two from Dudley – taking members of the Action For Children charity to the Somerset resort.
In witness statements, three passengers said Mr Blakemore woke when the coach was drifting towards the hard shoulder and a girl screamed, Stroud Magistrates' Court heard.
No mechanical defect was found with the coach and breath tests indicated he had not been drinking.
Mr Blakemore, who is diabetic, said he "did not black out".
He was handed a 15 month ban, fined £165 and ordered to take an extended test.
