TfL sorry for falsely reporting how woman died

Melissa Burr died from multiple injuries following the crash in August 2021

Transport for London (TfL) has apologised for falsely reporting a woman died outside London's Victoria bus station after walking between two buses.

Melissa Burr died in August 2021 after driver Olusofa Popoola mistakenly pressed the accelerator pedal rather than the brake, causing his bus to shunt forward into a stationary bus, which in turn hit the 32-year-old.

On Wednesday, TfL's safety committee heard an "error" meant it had been stated Ms Burr had walked between two buses.

TfL's chief safety, health and environment officer Lilli Matson apologised to Ms Burr's family and issued a clarification.

Ms Matson told the committee: "The wording was erroneous and based on preliminary information that had been obtained at the time of the incident, and prior to any investigation."

She said the wording had not fully reflected the circumstances and should not have been used.

'Tragic events'

“Following the outcome of the investigation, it is clear that Melissa had not been walking between the two buses and was using the crossing," she said.

“None of the tragic events that took place on that day were in any part due to the fault or reactions of Melissa."

At the start of this year Popoola, 61, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years after admitting to causing death by careless driving.

He was also ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work and was handed a three-year driving ban.

Outlining the facts during the trial at the Old Bailey, Judge Rebecca Trowler said Ms Burr had been travelling to work "as usual" on 10 August 2021.

Shortly before 08:30 BST, she was using a pedestrian walkway at the bus station.

The court heard Ms Burr crossed towards the door of a 507 bus parked in a bus stop.

Judge Trowler said she was "also satisfied Melissa Burr made no contribution to her own death".

'Truly sorry'

Ms Matson said TfL had contacted Ms Burr's mother to apologise and officials had corrected the "inaccurate description" in the original report.

The apology has also been shared with all TfL board members - including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan as the chair of the transport authority.

“We know that the inaccurate reporting of what happened to Melissa has caused deep distress to Melissa’s mother and family, and on behalf of myself and TfL we are truly sorry," Ms Matson said.

“We have also taken steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again going forward.

"Once again, we are truly sorry for this error and the subsequent distress and pain that this has caused Melissa’s family."

Last November, TfL carried out works to Victoria bus station to improve pedestrian safety.

But, in January, another woman - Catherine Finnegan, 56 - died after she was hit by a double-decker bus.

Another woman was seriously injured this summer.

Earlier this week, Mr Khan apologised to Ms Finnegan's family who said they had not been contacted by TfL after her death.

Speaking to BBC London, Mr Khan said lessons would be learned.

"No-one should be injured going about their business in London," he said.

"It’s really important Victoria bus station is made safer. There’s a review taking place. We will make sure lessons are learned."