Bus driver blames mechanical failure for crash which killed pensioner

A bus driver accused of causing the death of a pensioner blames mechanical failure for the crash, a court heard.
Eileen Brennan died after she was hit by a bus in Darlington.Eileen Brennan died after she was hit by a bus in Darlington.
Eileen Brennan died after she was hit by a bus in Darlington.

Michael Gilbert, 52, denied causing death by dangerous driving at a brief hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

Grandmother and great-grandmother Eileen Brennan, 82, died following the crash, in Darlington on July 7.

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Another pedestrian was seriously hurt in the incident, which ended with the bus hitting a bank.

Gilbert, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, also denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Christopher Knox, defending, said his client "believes that there was a mechanical failure".

A four-day trial was listed for August 29 and the defendant was granted bail in the meantime.