A RUNAWAY bus that careered into a pedestrian area full of shoppers had no mechanical faults, it has emerged.

Bus company Arriva North East has completed its investigation into the incident in Darlington last month, in which shoppers scrambled out of the way to avoid the vehicle.

Witnesses were amazed no one was hurt in the incident, in which the Middlesbrough to Darlington X66 bus collided with another bus, mounted the kerb and sped past the windows of the Halifax bank and Boots, before smashing two bollards and careering into the pedestrianised area.

The vehicle came to rest in front of River Island, in Northgate.

Arriva said both vehicles were checked by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa) immediately after the incident, with no mechanical faults found.

They said all drivers were involved in ongoing training to ensure they were aware of the high concentration of pedestrians in Darlington town centre area and the importance of slowing down and taking extra care in the area.

Spokesman Mark Ellis said: “Our road safety group did a full assessment of the Darlington town centre area which went to every driver.

They have highlighted all the risks.

“We are aware there is a conflict between pedestrians and vehicles in that area, but it is not that different in some other places.

“Care does need to be taken, and our drivers are aware of that. This is the first incident in this area since it was pedestrianised.”

Mr Ellis said it would not be appropriate to give further details of the investigation.

He said: “There is nothing to hide. The vehicles were fully checked over by Vosa and there were no faults on either vehicle.”

Darlington Borough Council leader Bill Dixon called for the full details of the investigation to be released.

He said: “The public definitely deserve a clear explanation of what happened.

“I accept that accidents happen, but the public need to know if it was an accident, what caused it and what is being done to ensure it does not happen again.

“By being this secretive, they raise concerns in the minds of the public.”