A LARGE rock thrown at a bus in Dunbeg ‘could have killed somebody’.
The rock was thrown with such force it smashed windows on either side of the vehicle.
Police are appealing to residents for information about the ‘mindless vandalism’ on Christmas Eve.
Luckily, the bus was carrying no passengers and the bus driver escaped uninjured.
Police Constable David Paterson told The Oban Times: ‘The rock smashed one window, travelled across the passenger compartment, and smashed another window on the opposite side.
‘Mercifully, there were no passengers on board – someone could have been killed or seriously injured.
‘This was an act of sheer stupidity, with no thought for the possible serious consequences of their actions.
‘I have attended incidents before when stones have been thrown at buses but this was a large rock, thrown with considerable force.’
The West Coast Motors bus was in Lorn Road at 9.15pm on Christmas Eve, when the incident occurred. The driver was unharmed.
The bus company moved to allay fears among the Dunbeg community that its service, which operates between the village and Oban every half an hour, could be cut back to avoid a recurrence of the incident.
Oban depot manager Ian MacDonald said: ‘We would not consider changing our Dunbeg service unless this becomes a regular occurrence but I hope this was a one off.
‘It is the first time this has happened and we have no problems in Dunbeg. It was just mindless vandalism.’
Dunbeg Community Council chairwoman Gwyneth Neal said: ‘I would like to think it was a one-off incident.
‘It is very disappointing and gives the village a bad name. If anyone knows anything about this incident I would urge them to contact the police. This can be done anonymously.’
Community councillor Alec Cameron said: ‘My fear is that if this happens again, the bus company will stop at the main road and not come into the village. That would be terrible news for older people in Dunbeg, many of whom got rid of their cars when they became eligible for a bus pass because of this service.’
Anyone with any knowledge of this incident is urged to contact Constable Paterson at Taynuilt Police Station on 01866 822721.
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