A REMORSEFUL minibus driver turned into the path of an alleged drink driver - injuring eight people including himself in a serious south Cumbria smash.

Ian Karl Robert Parker appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.

The Barrow court heard how the 51-year-old was driving a Ford transit minibus from Lancaster to south Cumbria, carrying six passengers at the time of the crash.

Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said Parker indicated right then turned right into the path of a Seat Leon car on the A65 at Gatebeck, near Kendal and the vehicles collided. The crash happened at around 11.30pm on April 15.

The driver of the Seat had to be cut out of the vehicle.

"Everyone sustained broken bones and went to hospitals in Preston and Lancaster. They spent days and weeks in hospital and had to have operations," said Mr Dacre.

The court heard victim statements from minibus passengers, including a woman who was in hospital for a month and had to have two operations on a broken leg and arm, then extensive rehabilitation. Another female passenger suffered a broken arm, cheeck and nose and had serious lacerations. There was uncertainty about whether her arm would be paralysed.

Mr Dacre said Parker had been told he had missed a drop-off point and was asked to turn around. Parker told police he must have been distracted at the time of the collision. He broke three metatarsal bones in his foot, suffered a cracked rib and a bruised kidney and spent three days in hospital.

Mrs Sophie Gillespie, defending, said Parker was "very sorry," was a man of good character and he had a clean driving licence.

Mrs Gillespie said: "He has been liaising with passengers about dropping them off. He has been told he needs to turn around. He has indicated at the junction and seen no other vehicles. He has turned his head back. It has been a momentary lapse of concentration, he has taken his eye off the road for a split second.

"He has clearly been affected by this, but he says it is nothing compared to the other people.

"He is very sorry for what has happened. He never wanted to cause harm. He has been struggling with this."

The solicitor also said: "I understand that the driver of the other vehicle is also to be prosecuted as she was over the drink drive limit.

"Mr Parker does not in any way shy away from his involvement."

After seven years of driving taxis he is no longer doing so, the court was told.

The magistrates said they had taken into account Parker's remorse, but said it was a serious incident, causing serious injury.

Parker, of Calder Way, Morecambe, was fined £550 and disqualified from driving for 90 days. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £55 victim surcharge.