A woman is battling for her life after being struck by a double-decker bus outside London Victoria station, at a junction notorious for its dangers where two fatalities have occurred in the past three years.
The incident unfolded around 11 am, prompting emergency services to rush to the scene. The victim was swiftly transported to the hospital, with passengers aboard the bus detained for over an hour for questioning by police. Metropolitan Police have since confirmed that the woman’s injuries are deemed life-threatening.
Tragically, this is not the first time such a collision has occurred in this area. Two other women have lost their lives in similar incidents at the same junction. Catherine Finnegan, aged 56, tragically passed away in January of this year, while Melissa Burr, aged 32, lost her life in August 2021.
Youcef Fk, a 26-year-old employee of a sightseeing bus company in Victoria, recounted the devastating scene to the Daily Telegraph, describing how police informed him of the collision. He highlighted the recurring danger of the junction, noting that his company had raised concerns with authorities about the proximity of the pavement to the road, often leading to buses encroaching on pedestrian space.
Mr. Fk emphasized that the issue lies not with the drivers but with pedestrians who cross without adequate caution, leading to numerous near-misses he has witnessed.
Following the recent tragedy, there have been calls for action to address the safety concerns at the junction. After Ms. Finnegan’s passing earlier this year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed openness to exploring various options for redesigning Victoria station to mitigate risks.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident, stating that road closures are in effect around Buckingham Palace Road, where the collision occurred. The London Ambulance Service responded promptly to the scene, dispatching ambulance crews and a trauma team to provide immediate medical assistance.
As investigations into the incident continue, the community remains shaken by yet another tragic collision, reigniting urgent calls for enhanced safety measures at this perilous junction.
