RAF Sea King crews also helped in the aftermath of the crash
A senior police officer has thanked two mountain rescue teams for the help they provided in a horrific road accident that left three people dead.
Inspector Richard Vernon of Cumbria Constabulary was speaking after coroner David Roberts recorded accidental death verdicts on two school students and a retired 68-year-old teacher whose car caused the fatal collision when it veered into the path of a school bus near Keswick last year.
Keswick School students Chloe Walker, who was celebrating her 16th birthday, and Kieran Goulding, 15, and Patrick Short of Braithwaite all received fatal injuries in the crash in May 2010.
Insp Vernon said Keswick and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Teams, which came to the aid of other emergency services at the crash scene on the A66, had played a big part, along with RAF Sea King search and rescue helicopter crews, in the aftermath of the crash, in which the bus overturned.
He said: “We would like to thank the various agencies that made a big contribution to dealing with the incident at the time and during the investigation: Cumbria Fire & Rescue, North West Ambulance Service, RAF helicopters, Keswick and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue, Cumbria County Council, Keswick School, Braithwaite School and The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
“We would specifically like to praise the contribution of members of the public who assisted selflessly on the day.”
The police officer also said he hoped the investigation and verdict would help the bereaved families come to terms with the death of their loved ones.
“Cumbria police would like to extend their sympathy to the families of Chloe Walker, Kieran Goulding and Patrick Short. We understand how difficult it can be come to terms with a tragic death in these circumstances. We hope that the investigation has, in a small way, helped to explain what happened so that they are more able to come to terms with their loss,” he added.
Mr Roberts said it was likely Mr Short had momentarily dozed off at the wheel of his Honda Civic after a night with little sleep because he had been suffering from indigestion. The coroner ruled out a theory he had deliberately driven into the path of the coach to take his own life.
