West Midlands Travel bus crush mechanic death firm fined £150K
A bus operator has been fined £150,000 over the death of a mechanic who was crushed between two buses.
Lee Baker, 24, from Walsall had been attempting to move a double-decker bus when he was killed in October 2011.
National Express-owned West Midlands Travel had previously admitted failing to ensure the safety of an employee and failing to assess the risks he was exposed to.
The company said it respected the judges decision.
It was also ordered to pay £35,119 in costs by Wolverhampton Crown Court.
HSE Inspector Eve-Marie Edwards said: "It is clear that the failings of West Midlands Travel contributed significantly to this young man's death.
"There was no supervisor on duty to advise Mr Baker or to ensure that no attempts were made to move a bus without somebody at the wheel, or advise him to call the recovery agency to move it."
Mr Baker died in hospital three-and-a-half months after the accident. leaving behind his partner Donna Perigo and their then 20-month-old daughter.
She said: "Lee's death has been tough on all of us. We will never forget what has happened but now we can at last put it to one side and focus on the future."