A BUS driver has denied causing death by careless driving following a fatal collision with an elderly cyclist on a country road.

James Forsyth Cox was appearing at Durham Crown Court for the first time in the case arising from the death of 81-year-old Walter Frederick Heighley, in the accident, on Tuesday, November 17, last year.

Mr Cox was at the wheel of a single decker Mercedes bus, operated by Go North-East, travelling on the 16A Diamond route, between Durham and Sacriston, when the collision took place, shortly after 11.15am.

The bus was travelling north-westwards, from New College, Durham, intending to head for Sacriston, when it attempted to overtake two cyclists also riding in the same direction.

During the overtaking manoeuvre the bus collided with one of the cyclists, on a rural stretch of the B6532 road, on the outskirts of Durham.

Police confirmed the death of Mr Heighley at the scene of the accident, near the junction with Trout’s Lane.

Mr Heighley, of Dryburn Road, Durham Moor, Durham, was described in a family statement issued at the time by police, as, “a loving and much-loved husband, father and grandfather.”

After Mr Cox denied the careless driving charge at today’s (Wednesday August 24) plea hearing, a date for a three-day trial was set as Monday, March 6.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the hearing, and bailed 46-year-old Mr Cox, of Millfield Court, Blackhill, Consett, to return for the trial.