Unite win bus crash case against ‘Apprentice’ contestant.

News release sent out 23 November 2012 – case concerning a contestant in TV’s ‘The Apprentice’ colliding with a bus. It was handled for Pattinson & Brewer by Caroline Phelan…

On 11 December 2009 Gabrielle Omar, a former contestant in the BBC TV programme ‘The Apprentice’, ran into the side of a Metroline bus at a roundabout on Willesden High Road while driving her black Porsche.

Today the court found against Ms.Omar and for the driver of the Metroline bus, Arrif Magid, a Unite union member who was hurt during  the accident. He said:

“When I was on the roundabout,case a car came from my right-hand side very fast and collided with the side of the bus, hitting the batteries which are situated under the drivers seat. I looked down immediately and saw a black Porsche which was being driven by a female.”

He also claimed that he saw smoke coming into the bus. Passengers were shouting“Driver, driver, open the doors”.

Unite Legal Services instructed Caroline Phelan of Pattinson & Brewer to act on behalf of the bus driver. She commented as follows:

“Passengers travelling in public transport vehicles should have a reasonable expectation of being safe. But when a motorist’s performance falls below a reasonable standard, accidents can happen, which puts the safety of us all at risk”.

Jim Buckley, District Officer for Unite the Union, satisfied by the decision, said:

“Justice has been served for Arif. Our members know that they always have the support of Unite the Union when their health and safety is at risk, or they have been injured by someone else’s negligence. This is a success for Unite Legal Services, and all our members should take comfort from the fact that our legal support services are always at hand to act for our members and their families. Unite Legal services would like to thank Pattinson & Brewer, who acted as panel solicitor for our member.”

An award of £4000 in damages was made by the court.