last week has hit back at claims that the bus driver was not at fault.

Joseph Fray -- who was hit by a Public Transportation Board bus shortly after noon on Thursday at the junction of Cedar Avenue and Church Street -- remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

And his nephew, Gavin O'Connor, said his family was outraged that an employee of the PTB had the audacity to make a statement to The Royal Gazette claiming no fault on the part of the bus driver while an investigation is pending into the incident.

On Friday, PTB assistant director Dan Simmons claimed there was no way for the bus driver to know what was about to happen.

He said Mr. Fray apparently came into contact with the side of the bus and its rear wheel.

"I don't know how that happened, whether he tripped, he fell, did not see the bus or what. We can say with surety that it was not a frontal impact.'' But Mr. O'Connor said: "My uncle has been a street sweeper for 27 years with no problems.

"He is a religious man of exemplary character. For the PTB to suggest that he simply fell into the path of an oncoming bus while crossing the road on a zebra crossing is a ludicrous suggestion.

"For the short time he was conscious at the hospital my uncle was able to speak to me and described the incident to me. I look forward to giving his detailed explanation to the authorities when called upon to do so.'' The family has retained lawyer Justin Williams to act on their behalf.

When contacted by The Royal Gazette yesterday Mr. Williams said: "It would be inappropriate for me to comment until the investigation is concluded.''