Two separate bus incidents on Tuesday 4th March left a young woman with serious injuries and a teenage boy requiring hospital care, reports Marco Marcelline
Transport for London (TfL) is investigating how two young people were struck by buses in two separate incidents in Walthamstow on the same day (Tuesday 4th March).
A young woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a SL2 bus in Hoe Street at 7.30am on Tuesday, and a teenage boy was taken to a major trauma centre following a collision involving a 158 bus in Markhouse Road at 4.50pm later that day.
It is understood that both victims do not have any life-threatening injuries and are expected to make full recoveries, but the incidents have caused shock and concern amongst the local community.
One local, reacting to news of the crash in Hoe Street, near the Ye Olde Rose and Crown pub, wrote on Facebook: “This is a recurring spot. Last year our friend was sent to hospital when she was run over in the same spot on the pedestrian road. It needs some sort of rail to protect pedestrians with urgency. There is a school and two nurseries on that road, if this happens to a kid the impact will be catastrophic.”
Concern was also expressed by Laura Leaming, whose 70-year-old mother was hit by a vehicle while walking on the zebra crossing outside the Soho Theatre in Hoe Street on 8th February 2024.
The incident left her mother needing several surgeries due to a broken back and fractures in her shoulder.
She told the Echo: “I truly think the safety of this road needs to be looked into as a matter of urgency, especially as the new Soho Theatre will significantly increase pedestrian activity around this section of the road.”
The long-awaited Soho Theatre Walthamstow will open in May, and will feature a 960-seat auditorium.
Lorna Murphy, TfL’s director of buses, issued a statement confirming that the organisation was working together with the police and bus operator Arriva into the Tuesday incidents.
She added: “This must have been a distressing incident for all involved and we have support available for anyone affected.”
The incidents come after Walthamstow Bus Station was temporarily shut for six weeks last year due to safety works following the death of Grace Mecaley, 74, who was struck by a 212 bus at the station in December 2023.
Information about support available from TfL, including the Sarah Hope Line, is available here
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