Nigerian Bus Driver Kills Pedestrian in London

A 60-year-old Nigerian bus driver Olisofa Popoola, has killed a pedestrian when he mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake and crashed into another bus outside Victoria Station in London, the Old Bailey heard during his trial on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Popoola was at the wheel of an electric 507 single decker bus when he caused the fatal crash which killed Melissa Burr, 32.

Jurors heard Popoola was moving his bus forward when he crashed into the back of another 507 bus which was waiting for passengers outside the railway station.

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Popoola, who later accepted he may have hit the accelerator instead of the brake, continued to drive forward even after his bus hit the other vehicle, the court heard.

Ms Burr was crossing the road in front of the bus at the time of the crash, and was knocked down to the ground before being crushed under the vehicle.

The driver of the other 507 bus, Diana Mathuranayagam, was flung from her vehicle and suffered a badly fractured eye socket, it is said.

Prosecutor Alexander Williams said Popoola has admitted responsibility for the crash but argues it was careless rather than dangerous driving.