Passenger dies after 'last kiss'

A passenger was crushed to death under a coach after the driver refused to wait while the man snatched a farewell kiss, a court has heard.

Andrew Burke, 20, dashed to get back on the coach after it started to pull away as he said goodbye to his girlfriend.

The court heard the man from Croydon, south London, was dragged under the vehicle at Leicester's bus station.

Andrew Hessey, of Birchwood Road, Alfreton, Derbys, denies causing death by dangerous driving in October 2003.

'Let me on'

Mr Burke died instantly in front of his girlfriend after being clipped by the front-left wheel-arch and then crushed under the back wheels, a jury was told.

Leicester Crown Court heard how Mr Hessey closed the coach door and moved off as the couple kissed next to the steps of the vehicle.

David Herbert, prosecuting, said Mr Hessey could have been "in no doubt" that Mr Burke was running alongside the Volvo coach at St Margaret's bus station

Mr Herbert told the jury: "The defendant knew at all times that Mr Burke was there and yet despite that the defendant started to accelerate as he began to make his left hand turn."

Passengers heard Mr Burke banging on the door and begging to be let on, but Mr Hessey moved off again when the light turned green.

He was standing next to the closed door when the coach turned left, hitting him and dragging him beneath the wheels as his girlfriend looked on the court heard.

The trial continues.