Police release bus driver in fatal Manchester crash after video shows he was not at fault

The driver of a bus who was involved in a crash in Prospect, Manchester, on Tuesday, in which 11-year-old Malique Barnes was killed, has been released from police custody.

Luhas Daniels, acting commanding officer for Manchester, said the driver of the Toyota Hiace bus was let go after closed-circuit television footage emerged showing that he was not at fault.

“He (Barnes) [rode] from behind the truck. Not even the driver could save him because the driver was on a straight road and wouldn’t see that coming,” Daniels said.

“You can’t keep him in custody if he is not at fault. The file was taken to the coroner’s court for their ruling,” he added.

Police reports are that Barnes, who is a student at Bull Savannah Primary in St Elizabeth, was riding a bicycle along the Prospect main road in Manchester when he was hit by the bus.

He received head injuries as well as injuries to other parts of his body. He was taken to the Mandeville Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

- Sashana Small

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