Drunk Indian-origin driver rams bus into low bridge NR

London, Aug 1, 2010:

An Indian-origin schoolbus driver in Britain, who was drunk three times over the permissible limit, ran his double-decker bus into a low bridge, causing its roof to tear off, a British court was told.

Gurdeep Singh Sagoo, 49, of Middlesex, had just dropped off 46 students home from the Chalfonts Community College in Buckinghamshire, and ran his bus into a low bridge. Metal and glass were sent flying and the roof of the bus was ripped off, the East Berkshire magistrates' court heard.

No one was, however, hurt in the incident and no children were on board at the time, police said.

Sagoo was almost three times over the drink-drive limit, and had been drinking all night with friends, the Daily Mail reported.

His double-decker bus was 15 feet tall but he completely ignored signs warning that the upcoming bridge was under 13 feet.

After he was arrested, Sagoo told police he had forgotten he was driving a two-tier bus. He was found to have 97 mg of alcohol in his system when he was breathalysed - nearly three times the legal limit.

Sagoo, who admitted to drink-driving, was banned from driving till his sentencing, but was released on unconditional bail.