Magistrates' Court yesterday of driving without due care and attention.

John Hollis was fined $500 for the January 16 accident that left G. Daniel Blagg lying on Middle Road in Paget with broken and cracked ribs, back injuries and lacerations to his foot and ear.

The morning rush hour accident occurred as Blagg, fundraiser for The National Trust, was waiting to make a right turn onto Chapel Road.

Witnesses driving in the opposite lane along Middle Road said they saw the bus heading towards Blagg. Hollis, they said, swerved into the wall to avoid hitting the cyclist, but struck the rear of the bike.

Hollis told the court he took every precaution not to hit Blagg, but there was not enough room to stop. He did not slam on his brakes, he said, because he did not want to injure the schoolchildren on the bus.

Hollis said Blagg, of Pitts Bay Road, had enough time to turn onto Chapel Road and accused him of obstructing traffic.

Sgt. Earl Kirby, prosecuting, said Hollis had ample time to brake without harming the schoolchildren but was not paying attention.

Acting Magistrate the Wor. Patricia Dangor found Hollis guilty of driving without due care and attention.