Lothian bus driver shares the toll antisocial behaviour can have long term after he is almost blinded by a group of youths

Lothian has released a short video highlighting the lasting impact that horrific instances of antisocial behaviour can have on its bus drivers.

The video features an anonymous driver who shares the story of when he was almost blinded by a youth who threw a rock through his bus window.

He said: “I could see him make as if he was going to throw something... just as I turned back I saw the rock coming towards the driver’s window and it just shattered.”

He went onto say that he had an emergency appointment at the eye hospital where he was told that he had some abrasions on his cornea that would heal within a few days.

He wasn’t going to lose his sight.

He thought he would be able to get back to work within a couple of days, but said: “That night I just found I couldn’t sleep.

"I keep hearing all the noises, the bang especially.

"I’m normally a very confident person, but this has wiped me out, and the thought of going on a bus is now causing me quite big problems.”Following the attack, the bus driver is meeting with a counsellor to try to work through his trauma.

He said that he hopes by sharing his story in the video it will help young people realise the effect their actions can have.

He added: “I love my job, I love driving.

"I feel it’s just destroyed me.

"I don’t want any of my other colleagues to have to go through this.”

The video was made in partnership with Police Scotland and ends with a message from Police Transport Liaison Officer, PC Mike McGill, who said that antisocial behaviour is on the rise across the transport network.

He said that nobody should be in “fear of assault or in fear of their lives” while working.

Sarah Boyd, Operations Director, Lothian said: “Our colleagues on the frontline have the right to work without fear for their safety.

“This video highlights the true human cost that incidents of antisocial behaviour or violence can have on individuals.

"These mindless acts can be life-changing for everyone involved and we would appeal to anyone with information relating to these incidents to report details to Police Scotland.”

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