Bus driver who killed 83-year-old avoids jail term

The driver of a double-decker bus who knocked over and killed an 83-year-old woman as she crossed the road has avoided jail.

Sentencing at the Old Bailey, Judge Nigel Lickley KC, said the incident was a "momentary error" and Ozdemir Zia did not intend to hurt, let alone kill, Edna McLean.

Zia, 77, was turning on to Vincent Road next to Woolwich Arsenal station, south-east London, when he hit Mrs McLean in September 2021.

He was convicted of causing death by careless driving and sentenced to 15 months' custody, suspended for two years, 12 days of rehabilitation activity and was disqualified from driving for three years.

CCTV footage was shown at the Old Bailey trial of the collision, with and members of the public rushing over to help as she lay on the road.

Mrs McLean suffered brain injuries and was airlifted to hospital but never regained consciousness and died two days after the crash.

Traffic collision experts concluded that Zia began turning while his view was obscured by another bus.

A pillar inside the bus also created a blind spot but the driver could have moved his head and upper body to look around it, the jury was told.

Zia, of Kidbrooke, south-east London, told police he had not seen Mrs McLean until immediately before the collision and then applied the brakes.

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