A HAMPSHIRE minibus driver has been accused of causing the horrific eight-vehicle crash in which two of his passengers were killed.

Trevor Clayton, 57, of Dean Road, Bitterne, Southampton, was due to appear at New Forest Magistrates' Court yesterday to face an allegation of careless driving.

However, Mr Clayton is in hospital undergoing treatment to an aneurysm, and the case was adjourned until March 22.

He has been summonsed to appear in court following a pile-up on the notorious A36 near West Wellow on June 3 last year.

A group of cancer patients from the Countess Mountbatten House hospice in West End, were returning from an outing in the New Forest.

Their minibus was involved in a collision with a lorry - and several other vehicles ploughed into the wreckage.

Winifred Lock, 84, of Mon Crescent, Bitterne, Southampton, and war veteran Mortimer O'Sullivan, 84, of Fareham, were killed and 15 others injured in the accident, which sparked a massive Daily Echo campaign.

The Echo's Cut the Carnage plea was backed by 2,500 people, who signed a petition that was presented to Parliament by Romsey MP Sandra Gidley.

Mrs Gidley had already raised the A36 in the Commons - describing it as one of the most dangerous routes in Hampshire.

In the past 20 years 15 people have been killed on the road, which has an accident rate ten times higher than the national average.

Two months ago two speed cameras were installed on the A36 either side of its junction with Whinwhistle Road.