A BUS driver has appeared in court after a bus full of schoolchildren smashed into a railway bridge in Headbourne Worthy in September last year.

Three children required surgery for “life-changing injuries”, while 12 others suffered minor injuries when the Stagecoach bus heading for Henry Beaufort School crashed into a bridge in Wellhouse Lane on September 10, 2020.

All of those injured were youngsters aged between 11 and 16.

Martin Robert Walker, of Hood Road, Southampton, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court this morning (Tuesday) charged with three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He entered a “no plea” to the three charges, neither admitting nor denying the offences.

The 36-year-old will appear at Winchester Crown Court on May 5.