AN ABERDEENSHIRE lorry driver was cleared yesterday of causing a crash with a school bus in which four people were injured.

Ronald Lawrence, of Huntly, appeared for trial at Stonehaven Sheriff Court accused of driving without due care and attention, resulting in a collision with the bus as he tried to overtake it on December 1, 2006.

The court heard how Lawrence, who denied the charge, had pulled out to pass the bus on the Stonehaven to Netherley road, as it waited to pick up passengers.

Shortly after the bus pulled away, it signalled to turn right but Lawrence was already committed to the overtaking manoeuvre.

The vehicles collided and the bus was forced on to a drystone dyke at the edge of a neighbouring field, injuring a number of children who were on their way to the former Netherley Primary School.

Five witnesses for the Crown, including Andrew Walters who saw events unfold from his conservatory, said that they had seen the lorry attempt to overtake the bus.

Lawrence (36) was accused by fiscal depute Mhairi Morrison of failing to take full account of the situation on the road as he pulled out to get round the bus.

She said the bus had indicated to turn right as it moved off and that Lawrence, of Upper Hillockhead, Glass, had not been paying sufficient attention.

In his evidence Lawrence said he was already alongside the bus and that the driver, Alastair Hay, had not checked his mirrors before turning.

He said, “I was about three-quarters of the way along the bus when the indicator came on.

“It was all unexpected. I thought the bus would have seen me overtaking and let me past before making the manoeuvre.”

The court heard from Mr Hay that the school bus had no back window and he was completely reliant on his wing mirrors.

He said he had not noticed Lawrence’s HGV, which had been behind him for three miles.

Evidence was also heard from administrator Sheila Lawson who was following behind the lorry.

She said that she saw the lorry indicate to go around the bus and was about to do the same when the collision happened.

Sheriff Kenneth McGowan said he was satisfied that Lawrence had provided a “cogent explanation that Mr Hay may not have looked before turning” and found him not guilty.