Bus Tragedy
The first sentence regarding the infamous coach accident has finally been passed. The accident took place near Jeżewo in Podlasie Province in 2005. It resulted in the death of ten teenagers: high school graduates from Białystok and three drivers (the coach driver, co-driver and a truck driver). The court sentenced six people to imprisonment from 6 to 18 months. The doctor who issued the driver with a medical certificate to work received the maximum sentence. In fact, the driver was unable to do his job due to epilepsy. Apart from the 18-month long sentence (suspended for four years), a woman has to pay a PLN 5,000 fine. Moreover, she is deprived of a trade license for two years. In addition, five more people, not including this woman, received convictions, that is, the transport agency employees and work safety regulations experts who concealed the truth about the driver’s condition. Neither of the judgments is legally binding. However, it is not the only trial thereon. Last week the co-owners of the tourist office that rented the coach, stood trial in Białystok.
Dziennik
translated by Anna Araszkiewicz