Firm 'devastated' after new bus pelted with rocks
The glass in the rear window was shattered and had to be removed
- Published
Staff at a Lincolnshire bus company say they are "heartbroken" after vandals smashed the window of their new coach outside a football match.
Sleafordian Coaches said youths threw stones at the rear window of the vehicle after transporting King's Lynn Town to Chorley Football Club for a National League North fixture on Bank Holiday Monday.
The trip was the first time the vehicle had been used by the firm, with Sleafordian Coaches forced to take the coach off the road for "costly repairs".
Danny Mountcastle, the firm's operations manager, said: "To see it treated in this way on its first trip was quite devastating really."
The coach was parked at the Victory Park stadium when youths started throwing rocks at it, the company said.
The firm said it had to arrange a replacement bus and driver at short notice to ensure the King's Lynn players could still travel home safely following the 4-0 loss.
In a post on social media after the game, the company described the culprits as a "small group", adding: "We know this behaviour does not represent Chorley supporters as a whole.
"But it only takes a handful to cause damage, fear, and unnecessary cost to small businesses like ours."
The insured coach was fitted with CCTV, with the footage sent to police.
Mr Mountcastle said: "It is quite heart-breaking, disappointing that this sort of thing happens because they don't realize the impact it has on the family business.
"The company were concerned the incident could have caused serious injury to the players and driver."
The firm thanked those who had offered their support over the last week, adding: "It reminds us that for every few who behave this way, there are so many more good people who value and respect what we do."
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