A SCHOOL bus driver from Nelson is to face court over a crash which killed a motorist and injured 11 pupils, police have revealed.

Fernando Page, 46, was driving from Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School, Oswaldtwistle, when the bus collided with a Peugeot 106 at the Britannia Inn crossroads, Haslingden Old Road.

Robert Jamieson, 20, of Kingsmead, Knuzden Brook, who was driving the car, died of multiple injuries in the accident, on February 3.

Page, of Wickworth Street, Nelson, has now been told he will be summonsed to appear in court to face an allegation of driving without due care and attention.

The accident, at around 3.20pm, also resulted in 11 school pupils receiving treatment at Blackurn Royal Infirmary.

Mr Page, who was driving an Accrington Transport Bus, was taken to hospital with minor injuries and was said to be traumatised by what had happened.

He could receive both a fine and points on his licence if convicted.

PC Mathew Leigh, form the road policing unit, based at Accrington, said: "Mr Page was interviewed two weeks ago and a full transcript of the interview and a police report was issued to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"The full facts and circumstances of the case have been reported and Mr Page has been made aware of the allegations.

"He will now face an allegation of driving without due care and attention and will be summonsed to appear in court in relation to this motoring offence."

At the time of the accident, police said that Mr Jamieson's Peugeot was travelling along Haslingden Old Road towards Blackburn when it was in collision with the bus as the bus turned right into Lottice Lane on a 40mph stretch of road.

The Peugeot then burst into flames and Mr Jamieson was pulled from the burning vehicle by Mr Page.

At the scene of the accident, assistant divisional officer, Gary Monk, commended Mr Page for his bravery and said: "When we got here, the bus driver had actually pulled the driver clear of the burning car."