FREDERICTON, N.B. — The infamous Sussex highway ramp was the topic of discussion when MLA Shawn Graham said a public inquiry was urgently needed to prevent further injury.

On April 27 a tour bus overturned on the Sussex interchange, killing four American children when it failed to make a turn from Route 1 to the Fredericton-bound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway.

The bus driver, Hin Chi-Kan, or a lawyer representing him, was scheduled to appear in Sussex provincial court yesterday morning to face a charge of driving without paying due care.

Another vehicle went off the same stretch of road last Saturday causing two people to receive minor injuries. With this recent revelation, the official opposition is calling for immediate action.

“Will you institute a public inquiry today, to try to find some positive recommendations to prevent further tragedies from occurring?” Graham asked in question period Wednesday.

“We can hold an inquiry today to judge whether the rumble strips were needed, whether the overhead lighting was satisfactory, and whether the curvature of the ramp was properly built.”

Premier Bernard Lord would only say the chief coroner has not yet decided to hold an inquest and the government – which can order one on its own – feels there isn’t sufficient evidence to call an inquiry.

“If we get to a point where there is sufficient information to call for an inquest, we will,” he said.