Drivers for Coastal Transportation have been ordered to inspect their vehicles in the wake of a recent incident where a wheel fell off one of their small busses.
The order was issued by the Maine Dept. of Transportation after inspectors reported the accident was triggered when the lug nuts fell off, according to a spokesman, Mark Latti.
“We want them to make sure the lug nuts are secure,” he said.
The incident occurred on March 29 in Newcastle when a Coastal Trans bus was driving four Mobius clients to an appointment.
As the bus, which has dual rear wheels, neared the Newcastle town office on Bus. Rt. 1, one of the rear wheels fell off and rolled into a bank parking lot, according to Lee Karker, the executive director of Coastal Trans.
“It is a very unusual accident. They [MDOT] investigated but could find no cause, other than the lug nuts fell off. They ordered us to perform pre trip inspections,” said Karker.
“We have a regular maintenance program and this has never happened before,” said Karker.
Coastal Trans provides non-emergency transportation services for elderly, disabled and other residents in Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc counties from Brunswick and Harpswell. They provide 500 rides a day to 2600 individuals, he said.
