Tragic Bus Death in East London Exposes Dangerous Crossing
Meet Miriam Moulia: The Caring Woman Lost Too Soon
Miriam Moulia, a 33-year-old communications manager, was killed on February 4 after being hit by a bus at a notorious East London junction. The former Darrick Wood Primary School pupil and University of Greenwich graduate was struck while crossing on Great Eastern Street, suffering a catastrophic brain injury. Despite efforts from emergency services, Miriam was pronounced dead at the scene.
Risky Crossing: Pedestrians Not Given Enough Time
The inquest heard Miriam stepped off the pedestrian island with her hood up in the rain, following others who crossed on a red man. The bus driver tried to avoid the collision but couldn’t prevent the tragedy.
Coroner Adam Smith revealed a shocking statistic: in just three years, there have been 21 collisions at this junction, with nine involving pedestrians hurt. The signal timings are dangerously short. “The current signal timings… do not allow pedestrians enough time to cross the road safely,” the coroner said.
Specifically, the ‘inter-green’ period – the time when traffic lights are all red allowing pedestrians to clear the road – lasts only 10 seconds, far too brief for the busy crossing.
Calls for Urgent Safety Fixes
Transport for London (TfL) has promised to include the junction in its ‘Safer Junctions’ Programme. But this major upgrade won’t happen for another 2-4 years.
The coroner urged immediate tweaks, like extending pedestrian crossing times, to prevent another tragedy. With already 21 collisions in three years, locals and campaigners are demanding swifter action.
Family Mourns ‘Deeply Caring’ Miriam
Miriam’s family expressed heartbreak on a GoFundMe page: “It’s difficult to put into words our sadness and shock at Miriam’s death. She was deeply caring, generous, and kind – irreplaceable to family and friends. We hold onto a plethora of happy memories.”
Emergency Chaos on Scene
Photos from the day show a heavy police presence, fire engines, and ambulance crews attending the scene. A spokesperson confirmed dispatching multiple emergency vehicles, including a hazardous area response team and London Air Ambulance. Unfortunately, nothing could be done to save Miriam.
This tragedy shines a harsh spotlight on the dangers facing pedestrians at London’s streets. With calls mounting for faster safety improvements, Miriam’s death may yet save others.
