A Queensland bus driver who was sacked for leaving a five-year-old asleep on his bus has found a new job.
Ross Belsham, 79, will start a new job with bus charter company, Brisbane 360, after he was sacked by Logan Coaches when Alyssa Jayde New fell asleep on his bus and ended up trapped at a bus depot on January 22.
"We are a lot happier today," Mr Belsham told the Nine network on Friday.
A campaign to get Mr Belsham's job back gained momentum online with more than 3000 signatures on a petition titled 'Give Ross Belsham his job back!'.
His supporters included Alyssa's father Adam, who told the Nine network "he should still have his job".
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"He had some wrongs in what he done. But to lose his job and be publicly shamed is not acceptable at all," Mr New said on Thursday.
Mr Belsham was thankful for the support.
"It's very good and I'd like to thank all of my supporters and especially the dad, because the dad was a nice man," he said.
Earlier this week Mr Belsham said even though he was responsible for not noticing Alyssa was on his bus, several others were also at fault.
Staff at the Jimboomba State School did not check off her name, Mr Belsham said, while alleging her mother Bobbie Langdon was not at the bus stop to collect her, contradicting information she gave police.
Ms Langdon warned Logan Coaches to expect a letter from her lawyer after Alyssa was found "petrified and crying, banging on the school bus doors to get out" about 7.10pm that evening.
