Investigation and inquest
I concluded an inquest into the death of Dr. Rosemary Anne Simpson on 28th March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was “road traffic collision”.
Circumstances of the death
At about 5.20 pm on 14 January 2014 a double decker bus pulled away from a bus stop outside the Grafton Hotel in Tottenham Court Road. It was necessary for the bus to move over to the right, across three lanes, so that it was at an angle when it came to a stop between the stop line and the studs of a pedestrian crossing. As the lights changed to flashing amber Dr. Simpson crossed the road from west to east, at a running pace. The bus driver did not see her and moved off. Dr Simpson was struck by the front near side of the bus and fell to the ground. She died from her injuries on 28th January 2012.
Coroner’s concerns
[BRIEF SUMMARY OF MATTERS OF CONCERN]
The area is often very busy with pedestrian and vehicular traffic and pedestrians frequently cross on the flashing lights, sometimes at speed. Visibility for buses can be affected by the siting of the bus stop, so that some routes have to cross three lanes in a short distance. It is not possible to move the bus stop at the present time.