Magistrate Silvio Meli, presiding over the Traffic Sittings Tribunal heard why bus driver Massimo Camilleri did not stop driving when a woman attempted to alight before reaching a bus stop and fell to the ground, sustaining slight injuries in the process.

Cross examined by the prosecution, Camilleri said he had been close to the Labour Party club in Msida sometime in August 2004, and was concentrating on the traffic in front of him as he prepared to stop at the bus stage that was close by. As he inched the bus forward, a woman suddenly decided to get off the bus with Camilleri completely unaware that she had done so.

The driver explained how the woman fell to the ground and he had immediately stopped the vehicle and went to her aid. Camilleri said the woman started shouting at him so he decided to leave her there and drive immediately to Valletta to report the incident to the Transport Authority.

Magistrate Silvio Meli asked if the bus doors of the vehicle that Camilleri drove could close with the driver responding in the affirmative. He said he had co-operated with the police and had gone to Msida Police Station immediately after he had reported the incident in Valletta.

The case continues.