Woman killed in bus crash at London station

A WOMAN died and three people were injured yesterday after a crash involving two buses.

Rush-hour commuters at Victoria Station in London reported hearing a scream and a loud smash as the two single-decker vehicles collided at around 8.25am.

It is thought a stationary bus may have been shunted by a second bus from behind.

A woman was trapped underneath the front of the two 507 buses, with one passer-by holding her hand while others shouted for help. Police later confirmed a female pedestrian, believed to be in her 30s, had died at the scene.

London Ambulance Service said it treated another three people, including a bus driver, two of whom were taken to hospital.

Andy Byford, the Transport for London commissioner, said he was working with the bus operators “urgently” to understand how the incident happened.

The Metropolitan Police said no arrests were made.

A witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, was travelling on another bus when she “heard a bang” and saw a woman “underneath” a bus. “She had a dark floral skirt and blonde hair,” she said. “Her hand was outstretched. There were a lot of people around her, one lady was holding her hand and a guy was trying to help.”

Other witnesses reported seeing a fire crew jacking up the front of the bus which struck the pedestrians.

The front of the railway station was closed for hours as investigators examined the area.

One bus had a smashed windscreen and the other a badly damaged bumper.

Jacob Davidson, a Big Issue seller who was close by at the time of the crash, said: “I heard a massive bang to the left of me. I realised it was a bus that had hit a stationary bus in front.

“Then I saw two cab drivers jump over the railing and were crouching down looking under the bus. They were shouting ‘help, someone is trapped under the bus’.”

Mr Byford said: “We are extremely saddened that a woman has tragically died after a collision with a bus and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

“We are working urgently with the operator of the two buses, Go Ahead London, and the police to investigate what happened.”