CCTV footage of fatal Waterford collision shown to jury

Footage of the collision has been shown at the trial of a 43-year-old bus driver who is charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of two teenagers who were travelling on an e-scooter in Waterford over two years ago.

The collision, which occurred on the Cork Road in Waterford city in the early hours of 27 June 2024, resulted in the deaths of Gilbert Collins and Avuzwa Sampo.

The deceased were aged 15 and 17, respectively, when the collision took place.

Adrian Doyle of Ard Glas, Abbey Road in Ferrybank, Waterford was last year charged in connection with the incident.

CCTV footage of the incident was played for the jury of nine men and three women at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court.

Prior to the footage being played, Judge Eugene O'Kelly warned the jury and family members of the deceased in the courtroom that the content may be graphic in nature.

The footage showed the two boys arriving on an e-scooter to Waterford Retail Park at close to 1am.

They disembark the e-scooter and entered Snap Fitness, a gym located within the retail park.

Approximately an hour later, footage shows them leaving the gym and getting back onto the e-scooter.
Avuzwa Sampo drove the e-scooter out of the retail park and onto the Cork Road, with Gilbert Collins to his rear.

Large amounts of footage were extracted from car garages and businesses along the Cork Road, showing the boys travel along the road in the direction of Waterford city centre.

Footage also showed the white JJ Kavanagh & Sons coach driven by Mr Doyle travelling in the same direction.

The moment of collision was captured clearly via onboard dashcam footage from the bus.

This footage showed the two boys veer to the centre of the road, before an immediate shattering of the front windscreen upon impact.

The moment of the collision prompted a strong emotional reaction from family members of the deceased in the courtroom, with audible expressions of distress.

A number of family members exited the court after seeing the footage.

Footage from cameras positioned to the sides and rear of the bus also showed the moment of collision. These angles show debris fly across the road.

After the collision, the bus drove a short distance before stopping, and Mr Doyle disembarked at approximately 2.03am.

As well as the CCTV footage, the jury were provided with images and maps.

The images showed the aftermath of the collision, with debris and items of clothing strewn across the road.

Evidence was given to the jury by Garda Billy Mernagh on the condition of the bus and the e-scooter.

There was damage done to the windscreen and front bumper of the bus following the collision, however, its tyres and brakes were in good condition.

The e-scooter was deemed not road legal, had no visible lights and was above the permitted electrical power threshold, Garda Mernagh said.

Meanwhile, Garda JP Scallon provided data from the bus’s onboard tachograph, a device, which records speeds and actions of the driver. He said the device was in perfect condition.

The court was told Mr Doyle was driving 77km/h at the time of the collision, in a 50km/h zone.

Alan Kirwan, Executive Engineer at Waterford City and County Council, provided an overview of speed limits to the jury.

He confirmed that the stretch of road was within a 50km/h zone, and that there is clear road signage in place.

The trial at Waterford Courthouse continues tomorrow morning.