A drug driver whose head-on smash caused a bus driver to lose his leg has been jailed for nearly three years.  

Nathaniel Ferdinand's BMW veered onto the wrong side of Luton Road in Harpenden and ploughed into an Arriva bus on April 9 this year.

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The crash at around 4pm left the driver in his 60s needing his leg amputated after suffering several fractures.

Ten passengers on board the 321 service, which had travelled from Watford and was heading for Luton, were also injured.

Ferdinand, 28, of Henderson Close in St Albans, suffered slight injuries.

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Watford Observer: An air ambulance attended the incident An air ambulance attended the incident (Image: Harpenden fire station)

The crash was blamed on drugs after Ferdinand tested positive for cannabis.

Detective Constable David Burstow said: “This case highlights the traumatic, life changing effects that driving under the influence of drugs can have.

“Ferdinand, who initially tried to blame the bus driver for the collision, had smoked cannabis until 3am on the day of the incident and caused this horrific crash several hours later. The law is clear, do not take drugs and drive.”

At St Albans Crown Court on November 25, Ferdinand was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was also banned from driving for 40 months and must take an extended re-test.

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