A BUS company has launched an investigation into claims that a 10-year-old boy was ordered off a vehicle and left stranded when the driver decided to change his route because he was late.

Catherine Turner says stepson Dax was returning home from St Oswald's Primary School, Knuzden, when the driver stopped and told the youngster: "I'm not going any further."

When the boy explained he normally got off at the Boulevard in Blackburn, the Stagecoach Ribble driver told him he was stopping in Burnley Road and going back to Accrington.

She says he told Dax an earlier road crash had delayed him and he wanted to catch up with his schedule.

Catherine, of Stonyhurst Road, Blackburn, said: "It's outrageous that a little boy's safety has not been taken into consideration. "He was left standing at the bus stop with no money to catch another bus and confused about what he was going to do.

"Meanwhile, my husband Bernard was at home expecting Dax back around 4.15pm but he didn't arrive until later and he was worried sick.

"I can't believe the company would risk a child's life for the sake of a bus being a few minutes late."

The only other passenger who was also told to leave the bus gave the youngster 28p to catch another after she heard him say he had no money.

Dax got on the next bus which took him to the Boulevard, before he walked home.

Richard Cranmer, Stagecoach Ribble operations manager at Blackburn, said: "I have been in contact with the child's father and have launched an investigation.

"If we find there has been wrong doing then appropriate action will be taken."

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