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'Everyone so upset' by bus tragedy
Tributes have been paid to a driver who died when two buses crashed near Chester-le-Street.
George Hutchinson suffered fatal injuries when his 28-seater minilink bus collided with an empty coach in North View, Newfield.
The 58-year-old father-of-three, of Lowther Avenue, Chester-le-Street, was pronounced dead at the scene, shortly after 4pm on Wednesday.
Mr Hutchinson's wife and the couple's sons, who are in their 30s, have said they are too upset to speak of their loss.
But today Mr Hutchinson's devastated next-door neighbour David Hughes, described the dad as "one of the best-liked blokes I've ever met".
"He will be really, really missed by everyone," he said.
"This is tragic. He had a big family and he was a big family man. The reaction in the community to his death has been unbelievable. Everyone is so upset."
Flowers and loving messages have also been left at the scene of the tragedy.
The coach Mr Hutchinson was driving at the time of the collision belonged to Stanley-based Classic Coaches.
One of the bus passengers suffered a fractured hip and was taken by air ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment, while two others, described as "walking wounded", were treated at the University Hospital of North Durham.
The driver of the coach was cut free from the wreckage and taken to Newcastle General Hospital suffering from critical head injuries, chest and lower leg injuries.
Durham Police are appealing for information on 0345 606 0365.
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
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Heavy sleet
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