Managers denying bus crash charge

The area around the theme park is temporarily cordoned off

A bus company is to be prosecuted over a crash in which five people died.

A Lincolnshire Roadcar vehicle collided with pedestrians near Fantasy Island at Ingoldmells in Easter 2004.

Managers denied using a motor vehicle with defective brakes by letter during a hearing before Skegness magistrates. The case was adjourned until 25 April.

Joanna Warren, from Leicester, was killed with her sons Jacob, five, and four-month-old Leyton. Richard and Paula Rhodes, of Mansfield, also died.

Bus driver Stephen Topasna, 51, from Louth, has been charged with five counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one charge of driving without due care and attention.

He has yet to enter pleas to the offences and is due to appear at Lincoln Crown Court later in April in connection with the crash on 11 April 2004.

The area outside Fantasy Island has been temporarily cordoned off for this holiday season.

It is to be pedestrianised at a later date.