Shropshire Star

Man charged with causing death of schoolgirl after bus and bin lorry collision

Holly Brown was pronounced dead at the scene and several other students were treated for minor injuries.

Published
Holly Brown, as an inquest heard that the investigation into the 14-year-old schoolgirl’s death in a minibus crash will take months (PA)

A man has been charged with causing the death of a 14-year-old girl after a minibus carrying school pupils on a field trip collided with a bin lorry.

Holly Brown was on a bus carrying 21 students from John Taylor High School in Staffordshire when it crashed on the A38 Kingsbury Road in Birmingham on July 7 last year.

The youngster was confirmed dead at the scene in the Castle Vale area of the city after emergency services confirmed nothing could be done to save her.

Castle Vale school bus crash
A bin lorry that was involved in a fatal crash with a school minibus on the A38 Kingsbury Road in the Castle Vale area of Birmingham (Richard Vernalls/PA)

Nicholas Buck, 53, has now been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, West Midlands Police have said.

Detective Sergeant Alan Hands from the Collision Investigation Unit said: “This was a tragic incident which resulted in the death of a pupil from the John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood.

Castle Vale school bus crash
A school minibus that was involved in a fatal crash with a bin lorry on the A38 Kingsbury Road in the Castle Vale area of Birmingham (Richard Vernalls/PA)

In a tribute issued through the force at the time, her parents and twin sister Emma said of Holly: “We are so proud of what you achieved.

“You grasped every opportunity that life presented to you, displaying so much passion, enthusiasm and determination in pursuit of your dreams.

Castle Vale school bus crash
A bin lorry and minibus, its damaged rear covered with a tarpaulin, removed from the scene and escorted by police, after the crash on the A38 Kingsbury Road in Birmingham (Richard Vernalls/PA)

“We will miss you so much but you will always be in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.”

Buck, of Kingshurst Way, Kingshurst, Birmingham, will appear at the city’s magistrates’ court on Thursday.

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