Passenger Dies Nine Months After London Bus Fall
A London bus passenger has tragically died almost nine months after suffering a serious fall aboard a Route 5 bus, Transport for London (TfL) revealed in a new safety report.
The incident happened on March 15, 2024, on a bus running between Romford and Canning Town via Barking. The passenger was hospitalised following the fall and passed away on December 30.
Fatal Incidents Pile Up on London’s Transport Network
The report, to be presented to the TfL board next week, highlights a worrying series of deaths and serious incidents across the capital’s public transport system in early 2025, including:
- A passenger death after a fall on a Croydon tram near Reeves Corner on January 14. The person died in hospital on March 8.
- A woman killed on February 8 when a car crashed into a stationary bus on Lea Bridge Road, Clapton.
- Two weeks later, a car struck a stationary bus on Bessborough Road, Harrow, fatally injuring pedestrian Chithra Vanmeeganathan and sending two others to hospital.
Environmental Danger: Diesel Spill Pollutes London River
More than just safety issues, the report reveals a diesel spill at Thornton Heath bus garage on February 18. Fuel entered the River Wandle, sparking serious environmental concerns.
“Any pollution into London’s waterways is completely unacceptable, and we will play our part in tackling river pollution both from roads we control and our vehicle fleet,” TfL stated.
TfL Vows to Crack Down on Deaths & Injuries
TfL reaffirmed its commitment to road and public transport safety, citing its Vision Zero action plan, which targets zero deaths and serious injuries on London transport by 2041.
“Safety is the priority in everything we do, and it is neither inevitable nor acceptable that anyone should be killed or seriously injured when travelling in London.”
Alongside this, TfL’s Bus Action Plan aims to ensure no one is killed on or by a London bus by 2030.
The new report is expected to spark urgent talks on improving passenger safety onboard buses and enforcing stricter road safety measures—especially to prevent accidents involving stationary buses and vulnerable pedestrians.
Originally published by UKNIP.
