Bus driver jailed for causing pedestrian's death

Simon Mumford admitted causing death by dangerous driving

A former Plymouth bus driver has been jailed for two years for causing the death of a pedestrian while at work.

Plymouth Crown Court heard that Simon Mumford was seen on a bus CCTV looking at a piece of paper and failed to see Amallia Elmasry crossing the road in front of him in January.

Mumford, 54, of Ladysmith Road in Plymouth, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

He was also disqualified from driving for six years and must sit an extended retest before he regains his licence.

The court heard Mumford was driving a single-decker City Bus vehicle through the city centre at about 18:20 GMT on 7 January.

He was travelling along Western Approach towards a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing which was on red.

At the time, Mumford had a piece of paper in his hand and was seen on bus CCTV lowering his glasses, looking down and reading the paper for four seconds.

He failed to see Mrs Elmasry crossing the road in front of him during this time.

Mrs Elmasry crossed the road when the lights changed from red to amber and died at the scene after being struck by Mumford's bus, the court was told.

Amallia Elmasry was crossing the road in front of the bus

Sgt Samantha Pullen, from the Devon and Cornwall Police's serious collisions investigations team, said after the hearing that it was a "tragic case which again demonstrates that even relatively brief periods of distraction on the road can have fatal consequences".

Sgt Pullen said: "There is no doubt Simon Mumford did not intend to take a life that day, but, by taking his eyes off the road to read the piece of paper, he did not spot Amallia Elmasry crossing, leading to the collision that resulted in her tragic death.

"We'd like to express our sincere condolences to Mrs Elmasry's family and remind motorists that regardless of what vehicle they drive, they must remain focussed on the road at all times to ensure the safety of themselves and others."