A 76-year-old bus driver, Ozdemir Zia, is on trial at the Old Bailey, accused of causing the death of an 83-year-old woman, Edna McLean, in a collision near Woolwich Arsenal station.
Incident Details
Mrs. McLean was fatally injured on September 11, 2021, when she was struck by a bus as she crossed Vincent Road. The collision occurred at 10:31 a.m., and she suffered severe brain injuries. Despite being airlifted to the hospital, she never regained consciousness and passed away two days later.
A witness described hearing the impact and seeing Mrs. McLean’s body thrown into the air, the court heard.
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutor Nadeem Holland told jurors that Zia failed to properly check his blind spots for pedestrians as he turned onto Vincent Road. CCTV footage of the collision was shown in court, revealing the moment of impact and bystanders rushing to help Mrs. McLean as she lay injured on the road.
Traffic collision experts testified that Zia began his turn while his view was obscured by another bus and a pillar inside his vehicle, creating a blind spot. However, the prosecution argued that the driver could have adjusted his position to see around the obstruction.
“The defendant’s driving fell below the standard expected of a reasonable, careful, and competent driver,” Mr. Holland said.
He added that Zia, though not speeding, should have reduced his speed further to allow more time for the manoeuvre and waited for the other bus to clear his field of vision.
Zia’s Defense
Zia, of Kidbrooke, has denied the charge of causing death by careless driving. At the scene, he allegedly told police he had not seen Mrs. McLean until just before the collision, after which he immediately applied the brakes. He added that pedestrians do not always look before crossing roads.
Trial Continues
The trial is set to resume at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, with further evidence and testimonies expected.
The case has sparked discussions about road safety and the responsibilities of professional drivers, particularly in busy urban areas.
