M49 coach fall boy 'could have been killed' in incident

The boy fell from the emergency rear door of the coach onto the M49 last May

A 13-year-old rugby club player who fell from a moving coach on the M49 near Avonmouth "could very easily have been killed", a court has heard.

He suffered a broken wrist when he fell on to the road near Bristol in 2014.

Driver Tudor West and coach owner Keith Jones, both of Bridgend, deny charges relating to dangerous driving after the boy was injured, on 16 May last year.

The jury at Bristol Crown Court have previously heard claims the emergency door was "defective".

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, fell out of the rear exit of the coach and also suffered cuts and bruises.

'Tragic consequences'

During his closing speech, prosecutor Stephen Dent told the jury there was an "existing fault in the door" and that it was not opened by anyone inside the coach.

Mr Dent added "the fault would have been obvious to a competent and careful driver".

The court heard the wing mirror and panels on the coach were held on by masking tape and a cupboard was held closed by a pen.

Mr Dent said both men "ignored an obvious risk that could have had tragic consequences".

Coach company owner Keith Jones denies the charges

During his closing speech, defence barrister Dyfed Thomas, acting for Tudor West, reminded the jury the alleged victim admitted standing "with his back leaning against the window".

The court heard Mr West, 63, had been a coach driver for more than 10 years and had no previous convictions.

Mr West previously told the court: "I checked that door before I went out."

The bus had passed an MOT a month before the incident, but during an inspection as part of the police investigation, nine defects were found.

Appearing for Keith Jones, defence barrister Christopher James told the jury the coach had been passed as fit for use and road-worthy, and added there could not have been a "pre-existing" defect.

Mr West denies dangerous driving and driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Mr Jones denies permitting the driving of a vehicle in a dangerous condition, and aiding and abetting dangerous driving.

The trial continues.