MSPs support school bus campaign

Robyn Oldham and Alexander Milne died in crashes

MSPs have backed calls to tackle the risk of children being hurt while using school buses.

The move came as campaigner Ron Beaty's fight to stop cars overtaking school buses was considered by Holyrood's cross-party Petitions Committee.

His granddaughter Erin was left using a wheelchair when she was hit by a car after getting off a school bus in Gardenstown, Aberdeenshire, in 2004.

The committee agreed to raise the issue with the Scottish Government.

Other school bus incidents in Aberdeenshire included pupils Alexander Milne, 12, and Robyn Oldham, 15, who died after being struck by cars as they got off buses last year.

Committee convener, Labour MSP Frank McAveety, said he hoped progress could be made on the issue, which is reserved to Westminster.

Mr Beaty urged MSPs to lobby the UK Government for a change in the law, telling the committee: "It will happen to another family again, unless legislation is brought in."

He added: "Kids are getting killed on a regular basis. Kids are getting injured on a regular basis. It has to stop."