On Monday November 19th 2007 at 7:08 am a coaster was travelling at 140 KPH on the Old Harbour Leg of High way 2000 when the left front wheel blew out and fell off causing it to shake violently. This continued and it finally took 3 minutes for the bus to come to a screeching stop. The annoyance of the sound was hardly a concern for most of the passengers. So sure were some of the passengers of a crash that it triggered calls for God to help.The conductor fell flat on the ground bracing for an impact.
One lady who was occupying the front seat above the tyre and was sleeping at the time. She claimed to have jumped from the sleeping state to occupying the lap of the person sitting beside her. Some passengers were left in a state of shock and one woman in particular who has a heart condition, was in so much shock that she was seen soundlessly crying, whilst hugging her knee's and trembling nervously.
According to the driver the problem was caused when the tyre burst and Lock rim fell off. and after walking some half a mile away he brought back the tyre as his evidence. one lady claimed to have seen when the rim fell off prior to passing through the toll both but said nothing at the time. Angry passengers claimed that the tyre was a "recap" tyre which according to them was really an old tyre which was refurnished and resold to persons who were unwilling to spend on quality. The conductor claimed he had just paid roughly $9000 for the tyre last week Friday and he had installed the tyre on the following day (Saturday).
The real hero here was the driver, in a bus doing 140KPH on the Highway 2000. an unexpected explosive sound, potential screeching sound of death, and nothing but panicking women around him. These variables would surely spell fatality if it was many other drivers. Surely it must be because of his experience which saved everyone.
According to the driver he had hugged the steering wheel, remained calm and didn't press the brakes. "If mi did ever press the brakes people woulda dead" claimed the driver. The conductor claimed that they had taken precautions. "We never use high body tyres, because if you use high body tyres. If anything happen the bus have too far to drop from." This was the drivers firs accident of this kind.
